As Green Enterprise Solutions marks its 15th anniversary, Managing Director Kehad Snydewel spoke to Business Express Namibia to recount a journey that mirrors Namibia’s own digital awakening. What began in 2010 as a bold challenger in the local IT arena has blossomed into a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and empowerment across Africa. Through strategic foresight, relentless adaptation, and an unshakable commitment to homegrown talent, Green has not only reshaped Namibia’s ICT landscape but also carved a niche as a global contender.
A vision rooted in ambition and grit
Snydewel’s founding vision was audacious: to outpace every IT competitor in Namibia while nurturing a self-sufficient ICT sector. “We wanted to give every IT company here a run for their money,” he recalls. But beyond profits, the goal was to cultivate local expertise. “Our dream was to build a Namibian tech ecosystem—trained here, retained here.” This dual focus on excellence and empowerment became the company’s DNA. Early milestones, like securing a landmark software deal with a major financial institution and the City of Windhoek in 2011, proved transformative. “That was our catalyst,” Snydewel says. “It signalled we could play in the big leagues.”
Innovation as a lifeline
Staying relevant in the fast-evolving ICT sector demanded agility. Green pioneered cloud storage solutions in Namibia, partnered with giants like IBM and Lenovo, and developed homegrown products such as the Tap-A-Meal app—a locally designed food delivery platform. “Innovation isn’t just about adopting global trends; it’s about solving local problems,” Snydewel emphasizes. The company’s in-house development team has become a hallmark, creating scalable solutions that address everything from bureaucratic inefficiencies to everyday conveniences.
Yet growth came with growing pains. Navigating rapid technological shifts, Snydewel admits, “is like steering a container ship—slow but deliberate.” Talent retention posed another hurdle. By investing heavily in training, Green inadvertently became a talent incubator. “Some get poached, but that’s a badge of honour,” he says. “Our alumni elevate the entire industry. When someone says they’re from Green, it means something.”
Sustainability beyond buzzwords
Green’s name isn’t just a brand—it’s a mandate. The company aligns its operations with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding environmental and social responsibility into every layer. From funding scholarships for future tech leaders to minimizing e-waste through energy-efficient solutions, sustainability is strategic. “We’re not just building software; we’re building a legacy,” Snydewel states. Partnerships with universities and government bodies further amplify this mission, ensuring digital growth is both inclusive and enduring.
Empowering people, transforming communities
At its core, Green’s success hinges on its people. The company has funded over 50 students through advanced degrees and trained 100+ professionals, many from disadvantaged backgrounds. “Closing the digital divide starts with empowering our youth,” Snydewel asserts. Initiatives like annual Women in Tech events and hackathons at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) underscore this ethos. “We don’t just talk empowerment—we live it,” he adds, noting that several female alumni now shine on international stages.
Community engagement extends beyond tech. Green sponsors sports teams, chess prodigies, and youth programs, fostering holistic development. “Dreams need nurturing,” Snydewel says. “We want every Namibian to know their potential is limitless.”
The road ahead: AI, agri-tech, and African innovation
As Green embarks on its next chapter, Snydewel eyes frontiers like AI-driven agricultural tech, cybersecurity, and data analytics tailored to African contexts. “The future is hyper-local solutions with global relevance,” he explains. Compliance with regulations like the Data Protection Act remains critical, as does avoiding the fate of obsolete giants like Kodak. “Complacency is death. We’ll stay agile, curious, and client-obsessed.”
Advice for tomorrow’s trailblazers
To aspiring entrepreneurs, Snydewel offers a simple mantra: “Burn the boats.” Drawing from his own leap of faith, he urges, “Eliminate exit strategies. Success demands total commitment.” Execution, he stresses, trumps ideas. “Find your tribe, stay educated, and embrace the road less travelled.”
Gratitude as a cornerstone
Reflecting on 15 years, Snydewel’s closing message is one of gratitude. “To our clients, partners, and team—past and present—thank you. You built this,” he says. “Our journey is proof that when a nation invests in itself, miracles happen.”
As Namibia’s digital revolution accelerates, Green Enterprise Solutions stands as both architect and ally—a testament to what vision, grit, and unwavering local pride can achieve. For Snydewel and his team, the next 15 years promise not just growth, but a redefinition of Africa’s place in the global tech narrative.