In a small Namibian town, a teenage boy has captured national attention after creating a mobile phone that works without a SIM card or airtime.
Simon Petrus, a high school student, spent two years building a phone powered by radio frequencies that allows users to make calls completely free of charge.
What makes this invention even more remarkable is the way it was built. Using discarded electronics and scraps from old televisions, expired SIM cards, and broken phones, Simon assembled the device entirely from spare parts. The phone is connected to a custom-built box that not only supports calls but also displays a TV channel and includes outlets to charge other phones. The entire project cost about $2,000—money that Simon’s unemployed parents managed to gather so their son could bring his idea to life.
His innovation won first prize at the NamPower schools’ regional science competition, gaining recognition from educators, local media, and tech enthusiasts. Simon may be a quiet student and not at the top of every subject, but in science and technology, he clearly stands out. His teachers have confirmed that the invention was completely his own, with only minimal guidance from them.
This is not Simon’s first major creation. A year earlier, he designed a device that works both as a seed dryer and a cooler—tools especially helpful in a country where most people depend on farming and herding for survival. That invention also won a youth innovation award, although some judges initially doubted that a student could build it without professional help.
Across Africa, a growing number of young innovators like Simon are beginning to draw global attention. The rise in homegrown talent has led to major tech events, including CES—the world’s largest consumer electronics show—planning to highlight African innovation on its global stage for the first time.
Simon’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and promise. With the right support, his journey may just be the beginning of something much bigger for himself—and for African innovation.