In Conversation with Cameroon’s Rising Tech Star: Nervis Nervtek, By Favour Amako

At 25, Cameroonian innovator Nervis Nervtek is making waves in tech and youth empowerment, transforming local communities with projects like his award-winning 3D printer and STREAM education programs. Defying humble beginnings, he’s become a leading voice for homegrown African innovation. Nervis spoke with Favour Amako in an exclusive interview.
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At just 25, Nervis Nervtek has already made waves across Africa, challenging the norms of success and creating a path all his own. From a small village in Cameroon, this young tech pioneer and community leader rose to prominence, turning setbacks into springboards. Today, he holds accolades like the Presidential Award and the Future Africa Leaders Award (FALA), yet he insists he’s only just begun.

“People see the titles and awards, but they don’t see the journey behind them,” he said. “There’s a deeper story of persistence, humility, and an unyielding belief in the power of innovation to change lives.”

Raised as the youngest of seven children in a polygamous family, Nervis was no stranger to challenges. Determined to build a future in engineering, he faced early discouragement from peers who stigmatized technical studies, casting them as a path for the “dull and rough.” Yet Nervis was undeterred. “I kept telling myself I was unique and unstoppable,” he recalls, a belief that propelled him through years of study to the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the University of Buea, Cameroon. This journey set him on a course to make history, not only for himself but for the countless lives he hoped to impact.

Nervis’s drive for leadership didn’t stop at personal achievement. For him, leadership meant seeing Africa’s potential and addressing the deep-seated challenges holding it back. “When I look at Africa, I see untapped potential stifled by leadership gaps,” he says. “I wanted to bring change, not by looking outward, but by transforming things from within.” His community work evolved from small projects to countrywide initiatives, particularly with youth-focused programs that emphasize STREAM skills (Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Through annual holiday camps and community programs, Nervis shows young Cameroonians how they, too, can turn challenges into opportunities, lighting a way forward for a new generation of problem-solvers.

Even as a high school student, Nervis was breaking new ground. He built an electric dam prototype to generate power—a project that sparked admiration from local leaders and convinced him of technology’s potential to drive development. This belief took him further when, in 2020, he developed a 3D printer, a feat that won him the Presidential Award and formed the foundation of his e-tech company. Through this venture, Nervis brings practical tech skills to classrooms, encouraging young Africans to create solutions uniquely suited to their needs.

Collaborations became key to Nervis’s journey. Winning the ASPY National Engineering Project Competition and securing a scholarship with the African Leadership Bridge gave him the chance to hone his leadership and connect with influential organizations. “We need more platforms where talent meets opportunity,” he says. Today, his partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme and local governments have empowered thousands of young people, bridging the gap between education and real-world application.

Nervis’s message for aspiring leaders is simple yet profound: “Find your passion and transform it into value. Africa needs disciplined, focused young leaders who can cut through the distractions. Our generation has the power to shape Africa now—not just tomorrow.”

With an eye on influencing African education and policy, Nervis is determined to build a continent rooted in innovation and collaboration. “The journey isn’t easy,” he admits, “but together, we’re building the Africa we envision.” Through his unyielding commitment and visionary approach, Nervis Nervtek is proving that Africa’s future lies within its own borders, shaped by those who believe in it most.

@Favour N. Amako, is a Nigerian Based Journalist and Communication Consultant