Tobias touts electro-tech
Electrical engineer Martin Tonateni Tobias has been named the Namibian partner for A. Eberle Africa. Caroline Dawson, sales team leader for the South African subsidiary of the German provider of measurement technology for transformer monitoring and power quality solutions to electricity utilities, made the announcement at the recent 22nd annual conference of the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) in Swakopmund.
Tobias, the founder of Issamore Electric, is passionate about the Namibian electricity industry and its growth. Here, Power Sparks Namibia (PSN) gets to know him better.
PSN: Where were you born, and what were the circumstances of your upbringing?
MTT: I was born in a village called Ongolo, in the Okalongo Circuit near the Namibia–Angola border. I was raised by my great-grandmother. Life became challenging after her passing in 2002. Growing up with limited guidance and facing poverty required me to adapt quickly, fostering resilience and a strong sense of self-reliance from an early age.
PSN: Where did you attend primary and high school?
MTT: I attended Grade 0–8 at Ekundu Combined School, which was five kilometres from home. Grades 9–10 were completed at Okalongo Junior Secondary School, and Grades 11 and 12 at Nujoma Senior Secondary School.
PSN: Where did your interest in engineering and electricity start?
MTT: From a young age, I was naturally curious about how things work and loved playing with used radio batteries, solving problems in simple but practical ways. Although I was aware of common professions such as medicine and education, I knew early on that my path would be different. My interest in engineering was later reinforced through science promotions by the Founding Father on the radio, where I discovered the role of engineers in reshaping the world with technology, an experience that confirmed engineering as an inborn gift requiring only a spark.
PSN: Did you pursue higher education in your current field immediately after finishing high school?
MTT: Yes, I enrolled at the Polytechnic of Namibia, now known as the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), where I completed a National Diploma in Power Engineering. I then went on to obtain a Bachelor’s degree from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
PSN: What lesson has stayed with you from the time you started studying?
MTT: A key lesson throughout my journey is that consistent hard work truly delivers results, and a strong foundation in the fundamentals is indispensable. No matter how complex or advanced challenges become, returning to the basics often provides clarity and effective solutions.
PSN: Where did your career start?
MTT: I began at Om’kumoh Consulting Engineers, completing projects of varying sizes and complexities in Namibia and Angola. While at Om’kumoh, my career grew quickly, and I was licensed by the Engineering Council of Namibia (ECN), allowing me to offer engineering services directly and take on greater responsibility.
PSN: How did you decide to pursue high technology in electricity, and how have you grown in that field?
MTT: Throughout my career, I recognised the electricity sector’s slow adoption of new technologies, which motivated me to drive innovation. By leveraging my understanding of the electricity supply industry, I identified key gaps and aligned them with suitable technologies. This approach shaped my professional growth and enabled me to contribute meaningfully to the development of more efficient, resilient and consumer-focused energy systems in Namibia.
PSN: Tell us about your time working for the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
MTT: My time at the ministry was a career highlight, providing a broader perspective on the electricity supply industry. I contributed to policy development, supported peri-urban electrification, and advanced energy security and national energy programmes.
PSN: When did you decide to start Issamore Electric, and what is the significance of the name?
MTT: Issamore Electric was founded at the beginning of 2023, with a vision to offer clients more than conventional engineering services. The name “Issamore” is inspired by the idea of “Is more” - more than a service - reflecting our commitment to going beyond expectations, delivering added value, innovative solutions, and a client-centred approach in every project.
PSN: How has Namibia’s electricity industry changed over the years?
MTT: Namibia’s electricity supply industry has evolved significantly, continually adjusting to growing demand and rapid technological advances. Key institutions such as the Electricity Control Board (ECB) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy have played a vital role in guiding this progress, developing and implementing regulations to ensure a stable, efficient, and forward-looking electricity sector.
PSN: When did your association with A. Eberle Africa start, and what can the company’s technology offer Namibia?
MTT: Our partnership with A. Eberle Africa was formally established in 2025, following a successful technical evaluation of our engineering capabilities. The company’s technologies align with Namibia’s needs in asset management and power quality, offering solutions such as transformer and shunt reactor condition monitoring through insulating oil analysis, as well as advanced voltage regulation and power quality monitoring tools to enhance grid reliability and performance.
PSN: What do you see for the future of Namibia’s electricity industry?
MTT: I envision Namibia’s electricity sector transitioning into a highly intelligent, data-driven and automated ecosystem. With increased deployment of real-time monitoring, advanced analytics and smart control systems, the grid will become more resilient, adaptive and efficient, capable of self-healing and maintaining stability under varying operational conditions.
