Yongjoh Regobert Tanui captivated audiences at SDG Innovate Cameroon 2025, hosted by Better World Charity, with his groundbreaking innovation, TANCHEDA—a solar-powered electric car designed to revolutionize clean and accessible transport in Cameroon. This flagship event, celebrating youth-led solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), showcased Yongjoh’s resilience and vision, proving that African innovation can drive sustainable change despite formidable challenges.
Born into a poor farming household in Bambalang, Northwest Cameroon, Yongjoh faced profound adversity from a young age. Losing his father at one and struggling with school fees as low as 1500 francs, he persevered through financial hardship. The Anglophone Crisis further disrupted his life, forcing him to relocate to Ngaoundéré, where he grappled with language barriers and cultural isolation. Undeterred, he mastered French, earned an engineering degree, and is now completing a master’s in Douala. Teaching himself advanced design software like SolidWorks and CATIA with limited resources, Yongjoh co-founded TANCHEDA, a solar-powered vehicle built from recycled materials, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
TANCHEDA is more than a car; it’s a mission to bring affordable, eco-friendly mobility to Africa. Despite working under harsh conditions, including power cuts and minimal funding, Yongjoh’s ingenuity has created a scalable solution that addresses Cameroon’s transport challenges, where rising fuel costs and environmental concerns demand innovation. His presentation at SDG Innovate 2025 highlighted TANCHEDA’s potential to reduce carbon emissions and empower communities, resonating with the event’s theme of “Resilience.”
Beyond his technical achievements, Yongjoh’s commitment to mentoring youth through the TIC Foundation, where he guides students in STEM and SDG-aligned projects, amplifies his impact. As a Kectil Fellow and Unleash Global alumnus, he advocates for green innovation, inspiring young Cameroonians to pursue sustainable solutions. His work addresses the nation’s challenges, including poverty affecting 37.7% of women and 37.2% of men, and aligns with Cameroon’s National Development Strategy 2020-2030.
Yongjoh’s journey is a testament to turning adversity into opportunity. From a childhood marked by loss and displacement to leading a groundbreaking green tech initiative, he embodies resilience. His ability to innovate with local tools and limited resources showcases the potential of African-led solutions in a global context. At SDG Innovate 2025, his story inspired attendees, highlighting how determination and creativity can overcome systemic barriers.
The impact of TANCHEDA and Yongjoh’s mentorship extends beyond Bamunkumbit, offering a model for sustainable transport and youth empowerment across Cameroon and Africa. His work demonstrates that resilient technology, rooted in local ingenuity, can address global challenges like climate change and accessibility. As Cameroon strives toward the 2030 Agenda, Yongjoh’s vision provides a roadmap for a cleaner, more inclusive future.
The echoes of Yongjoh Regobert Tanui’s contributions at SDG Innovate Cameroon 2025 will continue to inspire a generation of innovators. His journey from poverty to pioneering TANCHEDA proves that resilience, coupled with a commitment to sustainable innovation, can drive lasting change. Cameroon’s youth and communities look to Yongjoh as a beacon of hope, leading the charge for a greener, more equitable tomorrow.
