Even as a boy, it was clear that Paul was a born salesman. After working for his father, he started his own business. A few years later it also became clear that Paul, together with his wife Annick, were both born winners and, after a few years of hard work, Paul started his own chain store in Belgium. The shops were located in various cities, always on prime locations.

In 2000, Christopher was diagnosed with cancer and our whole world fell apart. After a year-long battle against his disease, Christopher was declared 100% cancer free. This is where our live changed. Christopher dreamt of running a lodge in Africa, and Paul promised that as soon he was well again he would build him the most beautiful one ever. After a holiday in Namibia in 2000, where Paul bought a plot of land of 20,000 hectares bordering Etosha National Park, Christopher decided to stay on and started making plans for the construction of his lodge.

The first lodge was the Epacha Game Lodge & Spa, and many others followed in the years after that. Some of the lodges were built by us, while others were bought. A number of these were also renovated. Some of the lodges are still ours today, and a few have been sold.

However, we soon realized that there was a great need in Namibia for the development of social housing, industrial parks, housing in general, and so on. In response to this, we started to focus on planning and developing real estate projects in Namibia and across the border.

Olivier returned to Belgium in 2011 to look after our business interests in Belgium. After starting up an incentive, travel and event agency, Olivier started investing in real estate in Belgium. VDV Holdings Belgium also represents Groupe Artea (property development in France) in Belgium and Luxemburg. In addition to this, VDV Holding is a partner in Quick Set Green, an investment fund focussing on OBO (owner-buy-out) in different sectors.

Thanks to the extensive network created through all these business undertakings, not only in Belgium but worldwide, they are outstanding matchmakers.

At the beginning of 2021, Olivier was appointed Honorary Consul of Namibia in Belgium: a great honour conferred by the Namibian government for far-reaching European support to the Namibian population. 

Christophe 

Van de Vijver

CEO - Namibian activities

Olivier 

Van de Vijver

CEO - Belgian activities

Honorary Consul of Namibia in Belgium