Founder — SMB Afrique Éditions
Pioneer of Blockchain in Central Africa
Honorary Doctorate in Blockchain Technology, Web 3 & Cryptocurrencies — Dunster Business School, Zug, Switzerland
Global Excellence Summit — New Delhi, India | May 2026
2026 · Moscow, Russia
ABOUT THIS INTERVIEW
Born in Bomabom, a small village in Cameroon, Dr Emile Parfait SIMB’s journey is defined by hardship, resilience, and an extraordinary rise in the world of digital finance and blockchain innovation.
At the age of thirteen, he sorted palm nuts to fund his education at Makak High School and buy his schoolbooks. By sixteen, he was frying and selling doughnuts at the Anatole crossroads and the Central Market of Douala to continue financing his studies. His early life was shaped by continuous effort to survive and study at the same time.
Later, he worked as a part-time teacher for nine years, earning just 50,000 FCFA per month while supporting his family. Despite financial limitations, he pursued education and eventually earned a degree in Systems and Network Engineering.
The turning point came in December 2016, when he invested his last savings—200,000 FCFA—into four little-known cryptocurrencies. Within six months, the investment reportedly grew to 29 million FCFA, and within a year, it surpassed one billion FCFA.
Today, Dr SIMB leads SIMB Group, a conglomerate of more than 20 companies operating across fintech, agro-industry, real estate, and digital ecosystems. He is also the founder of Liyeplimal, a platform present in 95 countries with more than 15,000 trained crypto-millionaires. His innovations include SIMBCOIN, one of the early African cryptocurrencies linked to financial ecosystems, and SIMBCITY, a 35-hectare smart city project in Kribi powered by blockchain technology.
In May 2026, during the Global Excellence Summit in New Delhi, India, Switzerland’s Dunster Business School awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in Blockchain Technology, Web 3, and Cryptocurrencies—recognizing a journey that began in poverty and evolved into global visibility.
Despite criticism and online attacks from pseudo-influencers, Dr SIMB maintains a surprising perspective. He states that such attention has increased his visibility, attracting universities, publishing houses, and international institutions across Europe and Asia.
This interview was conducted over the phone from Moscow, Russia, where he currently resides.
I. THE MAN BEHIND THE LEGEND
— Dr SIMB, how do you explain your journey from a teacher earning 50,000 FCFA per month to leading more than 20 companies?
He responds without hesitation:
A miracle is when nothing is done and something extraordinary happens. I did everything. I worked from childhood—sorting palm nuts at thirteen, selling doughnuts at sixteen, riding motorcycle taxis to fund my studies, and later becoming a teacher for nine years.
Calling it a miracle ignores the reality. It was discipline, vision, and a 200,000 FCFA investment made at the right moment.
II. THE DECEMBER 2016 TRANSFORMATION
With only 200,000 FCFA in savings, Dr SIMB invested in four unknown cryptocurrencies.
Six months later, the portfolio reportedly reached 29 million FCFA. One year later, it exceeded one billion FCFA.
He recalls seeing Bitcoin reach 20,000 dollars as the moment of realization. Despite financial success, he did not celebrate. Instead, he viewed the money as responsibility and capital for a larger mission.
III. BUILDING THE SIMB GROUP
Today, SIMB Group operates across more than 20 companies in fintech, agriculture, real estate, and blockchain ecosystems.
At the core of his philosophy is one belief:
“No one has the right to be happy alone.”
He sees entrepreneurship as a tool for inclusion rather than individual enrichment.
IV. LIYEPLIMAL AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY VISION
Liyeplimal operates across multiple countries and is positioned as a digital financial ecosystem combining network marketing and cryptocurrency-based systems.
According to Dr SIMB, the goal is not only investment but poverty reduction through financial access and education.
He emphasizes that entrepreneurship is never linear and that market turbulence is part of every financial system.
LIMOCOIN, the ecosystem’s internal digital asset, is described as a long-term instrument tied to real economic activity.
V. SIMBCOIN AND SIMBCITY
SIMBCOIN is presented as one of the early African cryptocurrencies connected to real-world utility.
SIMBCITY, a 35-hectare smart city project in Kribi, represents his long-term vision of integrating blockchain into urban development, combining technology, infrastructure, and economic systems.
VI. SIMB AIRLINES: THE STRATEGIC PAUSE
SIMB Airlines conducted initial operations but later slowed expansion.
Dr SIMB explains that aviation is one of the most complex industries in the world, requiring significant financial, technical, and regulatory capacity.
He states that the project is not abandoned but placed under strategic pause due to global conditions and industry challenges.
VII. BLOCKCHAIN AND AFRICA’S FUTURE
Dr SIMB believes blockchain adoption in Africa will follow the same path as mobile money systems.
He argues that Africans adopt technologies that solve real problems such as payments, land records, and agriculture.
In his view, the issue is not readiness, but practical implementation.
VIII. CRITICS AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION
Online critics frequently challenge his work, but Dr SIMB views this differently.
He claims that increased online attention has helped his visibility across search engines, leading to interest from universities and publishing houses.
He even states that criticism has unintentionally contributed to his global recognition.
IX. TOKENISING AFRICA — THE BOOK
His book, Tokenising Africa — Volume I, presents a central thesis:
Africa is rich in agriculture but poor in value distribution.
He proposes tokenisation of agricultural assets such as cocoa, coffee, and palm oil using blockchain-based systems.
Example Model:
- 1 cocoa tree = 1 NFT
- Farmers raise capital through tokenized assets
- Investors receive returns based on production output
He explains that under calculated conditions, NFT-based agricultural models can generate measurable returns while improving transparency and funding access for farmers.
CONCLUSION
Dr Emile Parfait SIMB’s journey reflects a complex mix of poverty, ambition, innovation, and controversy.
From selling doughnuts in Douala to leading blockchain-based ecosystems, his story continues to attract both supporters and critics.
Whether viewed as a visionary or a controversial figure, his impact on discussions around blockchain, African entrepreneurship, and digital finance remains undeniable.
ABOUT SMB AFRIQUE ÉDITIONS
SMB AFRIQUE ÉDITIONS is a publishing platform focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, blockchain, and Africa’s digital transformation through research-driven publications and visionary thinking.
Founder: Dr Emile Parfait SIMB
Collection: Horizon 2040 Collection
Official Website: https://smbafrique-edition.com
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