This is the 11th post in a blog series to be published in 2022 by the Secretariat on behalf of the AU High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) and the Calestous Juma Executive Dialogues (CJED)

The African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 identifies manufacturing as a fundamental conduit of socio-economic growth and development for the African continent. Fundamentally, the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) launch in March 2018 can further bolster the continent's manufacturing development and growth.[1] This is because AfCTA offers a continental market for goods and services in Africa. This can unlock endless innovative manufacturing and potentially facilitate the continent's industrialisation. On the other hand, the African Union Action Plan for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA) and the United Nations' Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA3) are frameworks that distinctly communicate the role of industrialisation in Africa.[2] These frameworks encourage the maintenance and expansion of Africa's manufacturing activities to accomplish inclusive and sustainable socio-economic growth and development.

Despite manufacturing being a backbone and prerequisite for socio-economic development for the African continent, manufacturing still lags behind as characterised by the relative scarcity of manufacturing activities across the African continent. This is attributable to the limited manufacturing capacity of most African countries. Evidentially, the consumption patterns of Africa are predominantly dependent on importing goods from outside of the African continent. [3] Thus, African policymakers across the continent are calling for increased industrialisation and manufacturing.

However, there have been limited manufacturing action and industrialisation on the ground as a significant development marker. Industrialisation promises the ability to enable prosperity, the creation of jobs, and better wealth generation to alleviate poverty for all African citizens. Yet, the African continent remains limitedly industrialised today as it was four decades ago. In fact, the contribution of Africa's manufacturing to the continent's gross domestic product has essentially weakened from 12% in 1980 to 11% in 2013.[4] Fundamentally, manufacturing has remained stagnant over the past few years, as the United Nation's Economic Commission for Africa reported.

The British business research group, the Economist Intelligence Unit, estimated that Africa contributed approximately 3% of global manufacturing output in the 1970s.[5] However, this percentage contribution has since halved recently. There are warnings that Africa's manufacturing industrial capacity may remain limited and barely expand throughout the remainder of this decade. This is partly caused by the high commodity prices prompted by China's apparent and insatiable appetite for natural resources. This has stimulated the precipitous socio-economic growth in Africa since the 1990s.[6]

Various African analysts perceived that the boom would bolster Africa's diminishing manufacturing industry. Unfortunately, the expected boost from commodity prices barely grew to meet boom expectations.[7] Furthermore, in attempts to stimulate manufacturing industries, some African countries have used their proceeds from the commodity bonanza to address short-term domestic challenges. This includes increasing the remuneration of civil servants. However, this has barely addressed Africa's development in an acceptable manner. Therefore, value addition and the creation of more products should be pursued.

To this end, adopting new methodologies for the manufacturing sector, such as 3D printing and harnessing digitisation, can strengthen the manufacturing industry in Africa. This is because automated and digitised 3D printing is progressively gaining tremendous traction within the manufacturing sector across the African continent. As such, the African Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) encourages African countries to expand their manufacturing capacity in 3D printing and automation using digital technology. Thus, African manufacturers should embrace these innovation models by integrating these emerging technologies into their manufacturing protocols and activities.

Notably, 3D printing, sometimes referred to as additive manufacturing, is a process of making three dimensional solid objects from a digital file using additive processes.[8] The 3D printing process encompasses building up successive layers of material from the ground up until the 3D object is entirely created. This enables people to generate complex shapes of various sizes using fewer materials than the traditional manufacturing methods. Therefore, 3D printing technology is timely and cost-effective because the 3D printer is fully automated and requires limited human labour operators.[9]

APET realises that the advancement of 3D printing technology in the African continent can significantly improve self-reliance and local production of goods and services. This can significantly reduce Africa's reliance on importing goods from outside the continent.[10]

Notably, in 2016, the total global revenues generated from 3D printing technology systems amounted to more than US$6 billion, representing approximately 17.4% growth in the industry.[11] On the other hand, within emerging markets, 3D printing will grow into a US$ 4.5 billion industry by 2020.[12] In the long term, the range of printable materials may expand 50% of all globally manufactured goods will be printed by 2060.

Worth noting that 3D printing technology is a manufacturing process that can join materials layer-by-layer to produce complex geometric objects with internal cavities from three-dimensional (3D) models. For example, 98% of hearing aids worldwide are fabricated and custom-made using 3D printing.[13] Even though 3D printing is still being strengthened to allow for high-volume manufacturing, the technology enables rapid prototyping in the interim. This is potentially shortening the design to the production time of products. APET notes that this can allow entrepreneurs to manufacture various products that are not locally available speedily.

For example, a joint venture between a consortium of Canadian organisations with the Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services (Kisubi hospital, Uganda) is researching and developing 3D printed prosthetic limbs for amputees.[14] Instead of casting the prosthetic limbs with plaster, using digital scanners, the damaged limbs are digitally scanned to digitally model the prostheses before production. In this way, better-fitting limbs are produced in a cost-effective and timely manner. Furthermore, some entrepreneurs in Togo are using 3D printers that are built from electronic waste. This is making 3D printing much cheaper and affordable.[15]

APET believes that 3D printing, as part of Industry 4.0, can enable African economies to catapult their industrialisation advancement and bolster their socio-economic development and growth. Worth noting that several African countries have managed to rebuild their limited telecommunications infrastructure and advance their mobile technology capacities. This implies that African countries have the capacity to replicate this approach within their manufacturing capacities. Even though this is not that simple, African countries can pursue sophisticated 3D printers and infrastructure. They can also develop their specialised human resource skills necessary to produce durable and reliable products.

Notably, many 3D-printed products require postproduction steps and tests. These postproduction steps and tests entail specialised knowledge, machinery, and infrastructure. As such, small-scale personal printers may significantly address specific local challenges and may not necessarily adequately address Africa's industrialisation. However, with appropriate investments, 3D printing in Africa can potentially be grown to solve much more significant challenges such as housing and settlement. For example, the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa has constructed a six-room home in 5 hours using 3D printing technology.[16] Since South Africa is struggling with a vast informal housing problem, 3D printing technology can be adapted to address the housing challenges. However, environmental challenges such as weather and stability should be tested and addressed to enable upscaling of the 3D in construction. Since 3D printing technology can produce real structures using cheap materials, this could potentially provide decent housing for millions of Africans. However, this technology should receive adequate investment support to grow.

Large-scale concrete 3D printing machines can cost more than US$4000 per unit.[17] Such costs may remain a blockage for this technology from becoming widespread if adequate investment and proper management are not availed to enable large scale 3D printing. Furthermore, the University of Johannesburg has estimated that the 3D-printed wall plates and block work utilised to create the 3D printed house structure cost approximately 32% less than conventional building materials.[18]

Currently, the United States of America, Germany, South Korea, and Japan are leading the 3D printing technology.[19] On the other hand, China and India are envisaged to grow this technology as their governments are aggressively promoting technologies associated with Industry 4.0. For example, in 2015, China unveiled their "Made in China 2025" initiative to promote advanced technologies.[20] This initiative emphasises 3D printing technology as an enabler. To this end, the "National 3D Printing Industry Promotion Plan (2015–2016)" was complemented by the new "Additive Manufacturing Action Plan (2017–2020)".[21] In 2017, several Chinese institutions invested approximately US$1.1 billion in 3D printing technology.[22] Therefore, APET calls on African governments to establish similar investment plans for 3D printing technology. This is because the cost of inaction will be much greater for Africa than the cost of investment in the long run if there are limited or no investments towards this technology in the interim.

Notably, 3D printing technology is currently being applied in various economic activities such as jewel making, car parts manufacturing, medical devices, accessories, components, and parts, personal protective equipment manufacturing, medical implants, assistive tools, aerospace parts manufacturing, and medical surgery implants.[23] Furthermore, the importance of 3D printing technology was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic because several African countries started 3D printing various personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and face shields instead of importing them from outside the country.[24] Thus, the 3D printing technology enabled African countries to have better access to PPEs which subsequently contributed to job creation and entrepreneurship.

Therefore, manufacturing through 3D printing technology can enable various opportunities for entrepreneurs within the manufacturing value chain.[25] For example, 3D technology can be used to manufacture assistive tools for people living with disabilities. These can be mobility aids such as canes, crutches, prosthetic devices, orthotic devices, hearing aids, and cognitive aids. Some replacement parts of wheelchairs, scooters, and walkers can be 3D printed as well. Therefore, APET believes African countries can leverage 3D printing technology to address various socio-economic challenges.

In addition, digital technologies can also be incorporated into 3D printed technology to facilitate reminiscence-related activities for persons with memory loss (PWMLs). This can help people with memory loss and limited attention challenges. Furthermore, 3D printing technology can enable the availability of computer hardware for digital technologies such as voice recognition, screen readers, and screen enlargement applications. This can assist people living with mobility and sensory impairments. However, most of these devices are currently being imported from outside the African continent and turn to be expensive for ordinary Africans. Therefore, 3D printing can enhance cost-effectiveness and accessibility to these various technologies that are currently being impeded by limited manufacturing strength within African countries. Hence, APET is challenging African countries to harness 3D printing technologies to bolster their manufacturing capacities.

South Africa is progressively utilising 3D printing technology to produce prosthetic devices and limbs. For example, a South African patient recently received a 3D printed prosthetic leg from the collaboration and workshop between The Arc (Rehabilitation Centre in Johannesburg) and the Science Park Design Department (Vaal University of Technology). To increase compatibility, the 3D printed socket component was manufactured from carbon for his below-the-knee amputation.[26] However, more upscaling of this technology within South Africa should be initiated to enhance the adoption of the technology. In contrast to 3D printing, manufacturing prosthetics' traditional moulding and casting methodology remain labour-intensive, expensive, and time-consuming. However, the cost of 3D printing is low and affordable.

In The Gambia, young entrepreneurs such as the Make 3D company are utilising 3-D printing to manufacture devices and equipment for healthcare, education, and soap making purposes.[27] 3D printing makes assistive tools and other forms of 3D printed materials more accessible and cheaper for the Gambian population. For example, Make 3D company is 3D printing cheap and customised prosthetic limbs for people living with disabilities in the Gambia. In addition, Make 3D is also producing spare parts for assistive tools.

The Ministry of Science and Technology in Nigeria, with developmental partners in Israel, has established an innovation start-up hub (Innov8 Hub) to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian innovators, inventors, and researchers.[28] Innov8 Hub is incubating 3D printing technology to manufacture assistive tools as part of its innovation ecosystem.

APET observes that 3D printing can also significantly reduce car parts manufacturing costs. For example, in the international car parts manufacturing, for several years now, Volkswagen Auto Europa has been 3D printing custom tools using Ultimaker 3D printers.[29] The technology is enabling the company to generate lightweight jigs and fixtures. These lightweight jigs and fixtures are designed for better functional and comfort design (ergonomics) and improved performance. Remarkably, the in-house 3D printing enables Volkswagen Auto Europa to reduce production costs by more than 90% compared to sourcing these tools externally.

There is a rich landscape for 3D printing manufacturing in Africa as Africa's manufacturing sector needs improvement and capacity strengthening.[30] Therefore, APET advises African countries to prioritise 3D printing technologies to accelerate the AU Agenda 2063 through STI. African governments and the private sector should explore 3D printing technologies for automotive, aerospace, healthcare, electronics, manufacturing, education, tooling, food, and construction. This can significantly transform the various socio-economic sectors and bolster industrial production and manufacturing industries. Thus, African countries should invest in infrastructure, educated personnel and industry professionals, and research, development, and innovation institutions to enhance the growth rate of 3D printing technology.

APET shall be developing a report on the 3D printing technology to address the issues highlighted in this blog as well as carefully analyse how to effectively harness the technology for Africa's socio-economic development. Other technologies being analysed include water management and purification technologies, 5G and the internet of things. The panel seeks experts in 3D printing to avail their knowledge as writers to support the development of the reports. As with other APET reports, this is voluntary, although writers are offered honorariums during in-person writing engagements. Should you be interested in joining our writing teams, please send an email to barbarag@nepad.org with your CV.

 

 

Featured Bloggers – APET Secretariat

Justina Dugbazah

Barbara Glover

Bhekani Mbuli

Chifundo Kungade

 

[1] https://www.globalafricanetwork.com/company-news/the-role-of-manufacturing-in-africa/.

[2] https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-potential-of-manufacturing-and-industrialization-in-africa/.

[3] https://unctad.org/press-material/facts-figures-0.

[4] The potential of manufacturing and industrialization in Africa, Trends, opportunities, and strategies, Landry Signé In collaboration with Chelsea Johnson. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Manufacturing-and-Industrialization-in-Africa-Signe-20180921.pdf.

[5] Manufacturing in Africa: still struggling with the basics, March 16th 2016. http://country.eiu.com/article.aspx?articleid=754034459&Country=South%20Africa&topic=Economy&subt_2.

[6] Commodity prices buoy South Africa amid China’s slow growth blow. https://mg.co.za/business/2022-05-10-commodity-prices-buoy-south-africa-amid-chinas-slow-growth-blow/.

[7] Kingsley Ighobo, Commodity prices crash hits Africa, Volatile global financial markets and weaknesses in global growth to blame. https://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/december-2016-march-2017/commodity-prices-crash-hits-africa.

[8] http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2226-72202019000100045

[9] N. Shahrubudin, T.C. Lee, R. Ramlan, An Overview on 3D Printing Technology: Technological, Materials, and Applications,

Procedia Manufacturing, 35, 2019, 1286-1296, ISSN 2351-9789, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2019.06.089.

[10] https://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/additive-manufacturing-implications-african-economies/60103/

[11] IWONA JASIUK , DIAB W. ABUEIDDA, CHRISTOPHER KOZUCH, SIYUAN PANG, FRANCES Y. SU, and JOANNA MCKITTRICK, An Overview on Additive Manufacturing of Polymers, JOM, Vol. 70, No. 3, 2018

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-017-2730-y.

[12] https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/04/20/2425267/0/en/3D-Printing-Market-is-expected-to-grow-from-USD-11-5-Billion-in-2020-to-USD-47-5-Billion-by-2028-at-a-CAGR-of-19-6-during-the-forecast-period-2021-2028-Greyviews.html.

[13] Surmen, Hasan & Ortes, Faruk & Arslan, Yunus Ziya. (2020). Fundamentals of 3D Printing and Its Applications in Biomedical Engineering. 10.1007/978-981-15-5424-7_2.

[14] 3D-printed prosthetic limbs: the next revolution in medicine. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/19/3d-printed-prosthetic-limbs-revolution-in-medicine.

[15] Meet the Togolese inventor who built a 3D printer from electronic waste. https://observers.france24.com/en/20161110-togolese-invent-3d-printer-waste.

[16] https://www.itnewsafrica.com/2022/06/watch-the-university-of-johannesburg-3d-prints-an-rdp-house/.

[17] Global 3D Printing in Construction Market - Trends, COVID-19 impact and Growth Forecasts to 2029. https://www.agileintelresearch.com/reportdetails/Global-3D-Printing-in-Construction-Market-/39.

[18] https://www.uj.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/social-technical-acceptability-report-16-may-2021.pdf.

[19] https://3dprintingcenter.net/top-20-countries-investing-the-most-in-additive-technologies/.

[20] Top Industry 4.0 Initiatives Around The World You Must Know. https://www.precicon.com.sg/industry_4/top-industry-4-0-initiatives/.

[21] Aleksandra Gadzala, 3D Printing: Shaping Africa’s Future, Issue Brief, April 20, 2018. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/issue-brief/3d-printing-shaping-africas-future-2/.

[22] World Bank. 2019. Belt and Road Economics: Opportunities and Risks of

Transport Corridors. Washington, DC: World Bank. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO.

[23] 3D Printing of Medical Devices, Accessories, Components, and Parts During the COVID-19 Pandemic. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/3d-printing-medical-devices-accessories-components-and-parts-during-covid-19-pandemic.

[24] Flanagan ST, Ballard DH. 3D Printed Face Shields: A Community Response to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. Acad Radiol. 2020;27(6):905-906. doi:10.1016/j.acra.2020.04.020.

[25] https://businessideas4africa.com/3d-printing-south-africa.

[26] https://3dprint.com/205007/vut-south-africa-research/

[27] https://yali.state.gov/breaking-gender-barriers-in-stem-establishing-the-first-3d-printing-company-in-the-gambia/.

[28] Innov8 Hub, TETFUND move to boost research, development. https://www.sunnewsonline.com/innov8-hub-tetfund-move-to-boost-research-development/.

[29] Volkswagen Autoeuropa: Maximizing production efficiency with 3D printed tools, jigs, and fixtures. https://ultimaker.com/learn/volkswagen-autoeuropa-maximizing-production-efficiency-with-3d-printed.

[30] 3D printing offers African countries an advantage in manufacturing, April 5, 2022. https://theconversation.com/3d-printing-offers-african-countries-an-advantage-in-manufacturing-179777.