Ethiopian developer behind Africa’s first Marriott hotel

Key Points

• Samuel Tafesse built Sunshine Investment Group, pioneering sub-Saharan Africa’s first Marriott hotel in Addis Ababa in 2015.
• From humble beginnings, Tafesse’s empire spans construction, real estate, and hospitality, with $100 million in annual revenue.
• Beyond business, Samuel Tafesse invests in education, elder care and programs for rehabilitating street children, building a legacy of social responsibility.

In a region where entrepreneurship is often born out of necessity, few stories capture grit and vision like that of Samuel Tafesse. From fixing roofs in the streets of Addis Ababa to building sub-Saharan Africa’s first Marriott-branded hotel, Tafesse has cemented his place as one of Ethiopia’s most successful businessmen.

Today, as founder and CEO of Sunshine Investment Group, Tafesse presides over one of the largest construction and real estate empires in the country, with interests spanning infrastructure, commercial real estate, and hospitality. His journey from a teenage parking boy to a billionaire property magnate mirrors Ethiopia’s transformation over the last four decades.

Humble roots, ambitious beginnings

Born in the Cherkos Sefer neighborhood of Addis Ababa, Samuel Tafesse grew up in a low-income household where his father worked as a civil servant. To help his family make ends meet, he began hustling early, first as a parking attendant at Addis Ababa Stadium, then as a street vendor selling chewing gum, sodas, and cigarettes.

Those years laid the foundation for his trademark resilience and hands-on business sense. By the time he joined Addis Ababa University to study civil engineering, Tafesse was already working as a self-taught contractor. But three years in, he dropped out. The pull of real-world opportunity, and the pressing needs of his family, proved stronger than the call of the classroom.

Laying the first bricks: The launch of Sunshine

In 1984, with just 500 birr in savings (roughly $13 today), Tafesse registered Sunshine Construction. To meet the 10,000 birr capital requirement, he borrowed from a friend. His first major contract came from Wabe Shebelle Hotel for roof maintenance—an opportunity he credits as his first “big break.”

Through the turbulent years of the Derg regime and the shift toward a mixed economy in the early 1990s, Tafesse doubled down. As the government began investing heavily in roads and infrastructure, Sunshine won over 15 major road construction contracts—including the challenging Zebider Mountain Road.

From roads, the company expanded into real estate, government buildings, and eventually hospitality. Today, Sunshine has delivered more than 5,000 homes, commercial properties, and public buildings across Ethiopia.

The Marriott moment—and beyond

In 2015, Tafesse made history. His company built the Marriott Executive Apartments in Addis Ababa, the first Marriott-branded property in sub-Saharan Africa. The development marked more than just a business milestone, it signaled Ethiopia’s entrance into the world of global hospitality brands.

Since then, Sunshine has signed additional hotel deals with Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide, including an upcoming Hilton Hotel in Hawassa. Tafesse’s bet on international partnerships is part of a broader strategy: leverage global know-how to elevate local value.

With annual revenues exceeding $100 million and a workforce of over 2,000 people, Sunshine Investment Group is now one of Ethiopia’s largest private companies.

A multimillionaire with a purpose

Samuel Tafesse, one of Ethiopia’s wealthiest individuals, has built a legacy that extends beyond business success. While ranked among the top 10 richest Ethiopians, Tafesse’s philanthropic efforts define his true impact.

In 2010, he founded the Sunshine Foundation, dedicating all proceeds from a commercial property on Bole Road, generating about 15 million birr ($113,470) annually, to support education for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. The foundation has since established three schools, benefiting over 1,200 underprivileged students.

Tafesse’s commitment to social good also includes initiatives in elder care and street child rehabilitation. For him, wealth isn’t just a personal triumph but a powerful tool for building both legacy and nation.

Looking ahead: Regional ambitions, public listing hopes

Tafesse is now setting his sights beyond Ethiopia. With ongoing collaborations in the energy space, including a 100MW solar power project in partnership with Globeleq, he’s entering sectors critical to Africa’s next growth phase.

He also envisions taking Sunshine Investment Group public, opening it up to global investors and capital markets within the next five years. If successful, it would mark one of the first major listings by an Ethiopian company on an international exchange.

A legacy of reinvention

Samuel Tafesse’s story isn’t just about wealth—it’s about transformation. He saw opportunities where others saw barriers, turned local knowledge into a national advantage, and invited global brands to a country once seen as closed for business. 

Much like Ethiopia itself, Tafesse has evolved—brick by brick, road by road, building not just structures, but a narrative of ambition, grit, and visionary entrepreneurship.