Local initiatives: Biography of a young entrepreneur in renewable energy

Jean Mathieu NYOBE (1983 – )
CEO of MAGE Solar

Jean Mathieu Nyobe was born in 1983 in Paris (France).

Being a young job seeker on the Cameroonian market, he has worked for several companies involved in the operationalization of technological tools. This exposed him to the manipulation of a technology that led him on the path of voltaic. After several readings and subscriptions to Youtube channels focused on the voltaic, Jean Matthieu Nyobe was not hesitant about collecting factory parts at hand to design not only models of voltaic plates but also samples. He explains it in these terms: “I found it to be a very simple technology and the most affordable of all renewable energy technologies”. Being a Baccalaureate D holder, he went in to be a graduate of SRH Berlin.

A passion is born

Despite this spark, the lack of capital and mentors in the field of operations has hindered  Jean Matthieu Nyobe’s enthusiasm for entrepreneurship. This young enthusiast overcame these obstacles by obtaining partnerships with companies that provided him with quality equipment. According to Jean Matthieu, the realization of these partnerships is a divine grace; because it is rare in his environment to meet people who are open to give young entrepreneurs a chance. This is a risk that his partners were willing to take and he expresses his gratitude. These partners include Felicity Solar, Ets ZOBEL, Ets MbockSam, AMTECH SARL,  G-TECH, YOUSSE & PARTNERS.

After a resolute outshow of perseverance and recklessness, Jean Matthieu and his team officialized their company on March 12, 2019 under the name of MAGE Solar after several years of operationality in the informal sector.

To date, MAGE Solar has carried out multiple solar installations in the Central, Eastern, Littoral and Southern regions of Cameroon. They have recently made installations in the cities of Bamenda, Banyo, Sangmelima and Yagoua. A little over a month ago, they won a public contract launched by the Mayor of Makak in an Open National Call for Tenders for an amount of 45,000,000 CFA francs, which consists of the construction of a solar system at the Makak City Hall and the installation of 26 solar street lights all around the city. The young company is at the starting blocks for the implementation of this project.

The young company is planning in the next 10 – 20 years to become a large company that will have branches in the sub-region and will offer many jobs to Africans. They plan to be involved in structuring projects focused on  access to energy in Cameroon and across the African continent. Their target is to implement solutions that will ensure to all or at least almost all people living in rural areas, access to electricity. 

Motivations and values

Stating his motivation, Jean Matthieu says “ I have in image my fellow citizens with access to solar energy; with a main goal of improving the living standard of citizens, especially those living in rural areas where electricity needs are very high; once you have access to energy, the rest follows, internet, TV, information, communication,…etc.”.  Considering that energy is  one of the greatest challenges for Cameroon and Africa, his passion is to contribute to making development a reality on a sustainable format.

Setting the path of the next generation

Jean Matthieu sees in the tropical climate (sun shine) a source of wealth and potentialities offered by God to Africans to enjoy and be safe from suffering.  he says “We should just take advantage of it”.

According to Jean Matthieu, starting from scratch and reaching to the level where they are today is a divine grace coupled to the showcase of their professionalism, diligence and self-denial. The latter considers that he thus has the responsibility to show to the youngest generation that you don’t need to have all the conditions met to start. You can start with the little you have at hand; also he has at heart to share his passion about being an entrepreneur. He says every youth “must firstly have a vision and set clear and reasonable objectives and then pursue them because man has infinite potential. Young Africans and particularly Cameroonians are in need of guidance, I deeply believe that the testimony of my experience could inspire many people”. When Jean Matthieu is asked to present himself in a few words, here is his statement: “When I make an assessment of my weaknesses and strengths, I come to the conclusion that it is in my  faith in Christ Jesus that I draw my identity, courage, strength and inspiration of ideas and strategies” .