The true colonizer of the country was a trader from Bremen, Adolf Luderitz who, in 1882, asked his government for a military protection to defend the territories he had acquired from a nama chief.

Conflicts outbroke between indigenous populations and Europeans mainly regarding the ownership of the land.

In 1903, the Namas rebelled ; the Hereros joined them in 1904 and killed 123 settlers, robbing their cattle, burning their houses and only sparing women and children.

Germany led a military campaign without compromission that in four years caused the death of some 54 000 Hereros (on a total of 70 000), many of whom had been forced into the Kalahari desert where they died.

In 1908, diamonds were discovered near Luderitz which caused an important immigration of Europeans.

In parallel the development of copper, zinc and lead mines in Tsumeb (north-western part of the country) and the rearing of the caracul lamb in the south (to produce the astrakan fur) brought prosperity and economic growth.