Morris Mbetsa believes in two strengths: the power of the human mind that “when you focus and eliminate distractions, creativity flows and solutions emerge” and that “productivity comes from deep focus and connection to your goals”.
Whether he is designing a product or solving a challenge, he immerses himself.
Building the Numeral IOT, a tech company, was never a struggle for Morris because even as a child he wanted to become an engineer. At age six, he started solving problems with technology, not knowing it would lead to building a business.
With just a high school certificate and a two-month course in electronics at The Kenya Polytechnic (now The Technical University of Kenya), Morris is disrupting the tech industry, both regionally and internationally, designing innovative smart devices such as smart electricity and water meters.
"My philosophy is simple: solve problems and the money will follow."
“I left school because I was impatient with the outdated curriculum that didn’t reflect modern technological advances. I believe Africa’s education system needs a complete overhaul to keep up with rapid technological changes like AI [Artificial Intelligence]”.
For the past five years, he has led a team of 60 techies to design and manufacture smart devices for the African market.
In 2018, the 37-year-old techpreneur made headlines with a prototype for Africa’s first human-carrying drone. He has worked with Microsoft, IBM, and other global organisations, achieving success without academic papers.
Morris may be the CEO of a thriving tech company, but he still gets his hands dirty with the company’s core business as one of the leaders in product development.
The IOT has produced several products, including trackers, smart home devices such as light bulbs and locks, security and ground-breaking smart meters for gas, water and electricity.
One of its notable projects was working with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to reduce the price of speed limiters. This initiative had a direct impact on road safety by reducing shortcuts and accidents.
He also developed Kenya’s first car control device that can remotely control cars using mobile phones. It was featured on CNN.
He draws inspiration from the tech savvy of Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates, following in their footsteps to solve real-world problems through innovation.
“My philosophy is simple: solve problems and the money will follow.”
To sustain and grow his business, Morris has developed core technology in-house, drastically reducing costs. He is also expanding into international markets, including the US, UK, and Canada, where he aims to solve global challenges.
“We recently partnered with Tigo in Tanzania to launch IoT products, a collaboration that has been three years in the making and will be launched in December.”
Morris dreams of setting up micro-factories in Kenyan counties to employ local people and produce essential products, with plans to replicate the model across Africa.
The balance between personal and professional life is seamless for Morris because of his passion for work. “I don’t see my work as a job, but as something that excites me. Whether it’s designing solutions or launching products, it energises me.”
Any regrets? “I wouldn’t change a thing, even the toughest moments. Those challenges have shaped me, taught me resilience, and made me better.”