This past week marked a watershed moment for Namibia’s business and technology sectors. The Ohlthaver & List (O&L) Group, under the leadership of Executive Chairman Sven Thieme, unveiled the country’s first-ever robotic shopping assistant. It is a first not just for O&L but for Namibia, and indeed, a significant milestone that positions our nation squarely on the map of African and global retail innovation.
In a world rapidly moving toward automation and AI-driven customer service, Namibia’s debut of a robotic retail assistant is more than a tech novelty; it is a bold statement of intent. It signals a future-ready mindset, driven by visionaries within our own borders. Sven Thieme and the O&L team deserve high praise for not only dreaming big but also for delivering tangibly on a promise to embrace innovation and redefine the consumer experience.
Namibia now joins an exclusive club of countries on the African continent experimenting with robotics in the retail sector, among them South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya. In South Africa, major grocery chains have trialled autonomous inventory robots, and in Rwanda, drone delivery for pharmaceuticals has been scaled nationally. These initiatives have been lauded globally as examples of how African countries are leapfrogging traditional development pathways by embracing emerging technologies early and decisively.
What makes Namibia’s entry especially significant is the holistic approach to the O&L initiative. This is not technology for technology’s sake. It is customer-centred innovation. It is designed to improve shopping experiences, streamline operations, and boost the efficiency of retail interactions, all while showcasing what is possible when forward-thinking leadership meets investment in the right areas.
Globally, we’ve seen robotic assistants becoming a staple in some of the world’s most advanced retail ecosystems. In Japan, humanoid robots like “Pepper” assist customers in department stores, offering product information and even detecting customer moods. In the United States, retail giants like Walmart and Lowe’s have deployed robots to manage inventory and guide customers. Meanwhile, in Europe, chains in France and Germany are exploring autonomous carts and robotic concierges.
By launching Namibia’s first robotic assistant, O&L is declaring that our market, though small by global standards, is ripe for 21st-century transformation. The introduction of automation into our brick-and-mortar retail spaces is an important step toward modernising consumer-facing industries and signals to investors and tech entrepreneurs that Namibia is open for smart, future-ready business.
This is not O&L’s first stride into innovation, and it surely won’t be the last. The company has long demonstrated that it is not content with merely keeping pace — it aims to set the pace. From sustainable business practices to digitisation efforts and now robotics, O&L under Thieme’s stewardship has positioned itself not only as a national leader but also as a regional benchmark for corporate vision.
But what does this mean for the broader Namibian economy?
First, it signals a shift in the job landscape. While the fear of automation replacing jobs is valid, it’s equally true that these technologies create new roles, from robotic maintenance to data analytics, AI training, and software development. By investing in such technologies now, O&L opens up a space for Namibians to begin developing new skillsets that align with global employment trends. This move may inspire educational institutions to pivot more aggressively toward STEM fields and AI literacy.
Second, it acts as a catalyst for competition. As with all landmark innovations, the ripple effect is inevitable. Other retailers, large and small , may now consider similar or complementary technologies to improve their services. In the long term, this benefits consumers through enhanced service, better product availability, and a more engaging shopping experience.
Third, it enhances Namibia’s global business image. Investors and tech partners abroad will take notice that our economy is not stagnant or lagging; it is willing to experiment, adopt, and grow. Such a reputation can be a powerful asset in attracting foreign direct investment, particularly in tech and services.
This development also offers the government a strong signal to accelerate the regulatory and infrastructural support that can help more innovations take root. Whether through grants, tax incentives, or skills development programmes, Namibia must now match private sector ambition with enabling public policy.
Of course, the journey is only beginning. The deployment of one robot is a prototype, a learning experience, and a conversation starter. But the significance lies in the first step, in breaking the inertia. Namibia is often perceived as cautious, even conservative, in its business approaches. O&L’s bold action challenges that narrative.
In congratulating Sven Thieme and his team, we must also encourage all Namibian business leaders to think beyond today’s bottom line and consider tomorrow’s breakthroughs. The future is already arriving, and thanks to this new innovation, it’s arriving in Windhoek.
Let this not be a one-time marvel, but the beginning of a movement.
