Illuminating Rural Cameroon: How IEEE Smart Village and Local Innovation Are Transforming Lives

More than three decades ago, in the remote mountain village of Mbem in northwest Cameroon, young Jude Numfor knew only moonlight and starlight after sunset. Electricity was a distant dream for his rural community. "There was one person in the village with a petrol generator and a small television," Numfor recalls. "When he turned it on, all the children would run to his house and peep through the window." That childhood memory sparked a lifelong mission: to bring electricity to underserved communities like his own.

From a Childhood Spark to Entrepreneurial Vision

In 2006, Numfor co-founded Wireless Light and Power, later renamed Renewable Energy Innovators (REI) Cameroon, where he serves as CEO. The company designs, installs, and maintains solar minigrids for rural electrification. These systems combine photovoltaic technology with battery energy storage to generate electricity at 50 hertz, distributed through smart meters. REI Cameroon’s work directly addresses the energy poverty that affects millions across sub-Saharan Africa.

Solar Minigrids: A Tailored Solution

Each minigrid is a self-contained power network that harnesses solar energy, stores it in batteries, and delivers reliable electricity to homes, schools, and small businesses. Unlike large-scale grid extensions, minigrids can be deployed quickly and affordably in remote areas. REI Cameroon’s approach ensures that even the most isolated villages gain access to modern energy services.

The Catalyst: IEEE Smart Village

In 2017, REI Cameroon received a grant from IEEE Smart Village, a program that supports projects bringing electricity, education, and employment to marginalized communities worldwide. The funding helped expand REI’s minigrid operations and refine its business model. But the partnership offered more than financial support. Numfor explains, "It’s not just about money. We share ideas, we get advice, and we have made friends. Entrepreneurship is lonely, but with the Smart Village community, it is different."

Open Source Metering: A Transparent Future

One of the most significant outcomes of the collaboration is the development of open source metering. Unlike proprietary utility meters, this free, community-driven system allows users, researchers, and utilities to view, customize, and verify energy data collection. This transparency improves billing accuracy, consumption tracking, and grid management, building trust in rural electrification projects.

A Personal Path to Innovation

Numfor’s own journey with electricity began in 2001 when he moved in with a missionary family in the village of Allat. Their home was powered entirely by solar panels — a luxury he had never experienced. "I could watch TV, eat ice cream, and turn on lights," he recalls. "It made me wish my brothers in Mbem had the same opportunity."

His curiosity deepened when a motion-sensor solar light in the family’s home stopped working. Encouraged by his missionary parents to experiment, Numfor tinkered with the device. "They told me to play with it like a toy," he says with a laugh. "I replaced the dead battery with a motorcycle battery and was able to bring the power back for the night." That early tinkering laid the foundation for his future as an entrepreneur and engineer.

Empowering Communities, Creating Opportunities

Through IEEE Smart Village, REI Cameroon not only brings clean energy but also fosters educational and employment opportunities. The program supports local entrepreneurship, helping communities build sustainable energy systems that create jobs and improve quality of life. For Numfor, the impact is deeply personal. "Every new light we turn on reminds me of my own childhood," he says. "We’re not just electrifying villages — we’re igniting possibilities."

Learn more about IEEE Smart Village’s global initiatives and how you can support rural electrification projects.