The affordable 3D-printed home that could transform African urbanization

Additive manufacturing, often referred to as 3D printing, is an advanced manufacturing technology that is slowly but surely changing industrial production globally. While its adoption has gained significant traction in regions like Europe, America and Asia, Africa has only recently begun to recognize additive manufacturing’s value as a catalyst for economic development. The rise of additive manufacturing in Africa presents both opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed to unlock its full potential.

Additive manufacturing in Africa remains in its nascent stages, with limited adoption and infrastructure compared to more developed regions. According to a report in Manufacturing Review, between 2010 and 2018, 37% of industrial additive manufacturing systems were installed in…

14 Trees, a joint venture (JV) between construction materials company Holcim and UK governmental development finance institution British International Investment (BII), has launched its new construction-ready three-dimensional (3D) printer, Iroko, to improve construction speed, cost and flexibility, while scaling up digital automation to build resilient and affordable housing, education infrastructure and commercial real estate worldwide.

The Iroko 3D construction printers were co-designed and manufactured with construction equipment company PMSA. The printers’ mobility and optimised assembly are key tenets of the design by 14Trees, it…

Bradley Pulford, VP and MD of HP Africa, outlines how digital manufacturing and 3D printing can support African economies. He also gives his predictions on the development of the digital manufacturing sector in 2021.

Africa started to deploy 3D printing over a decade ago and today there is even bigger potential for additive manufacturing on the continent. The rise in 3D printing also means that there is greater demand for customisation, meaning that manufacturers will need to…