Manufacturing

New drivers of African manufacturing

Heavy industry worked welding on a factory line.

Africa’s share of global manufacturing only sits at around 2% today. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The emerging efforts to raise Africa’s share of global manufacturing have been explored in the latest issue of African Review

Manufacturing was a key topic of scrutiny in the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) recently-published ‘2024 African Economic Outlook’, which sought to influence inclusive growth across the continent. While noting that a “single-minded” focus on development through manufacturing should make way for advancing regional diversity and encouragement of wider sectors, it stated that developing manufacturing and reducing the size of exports of unprocessed raw materials “must be part of the economic transformation strategy of African countries.”

While the continent’s share of global manufacturing sits at a paltry 2% today, the development of the sector is still widely regarded as crucial to its ongoing industrialisation and future prosperity. By shaking off the post-colonial reputation as a feedstock for global industrialised economies, African nations can ensure greater value is captured from their vast pool of resources.

Here, a significant opportunity emerges in the form of the continent’s abundance of minerals critical to the energy transition. Already, Africa is positioning itself at the heart of global critical mineral production with countries such as DRC, for example, responsible for more than 70% of global cobalt output. Calls to maximise the reach of these resources are increasing in volume. Speaking at UNCTAD’s ‘Maximising Africa’s Potential’ event in Addis Ababa, UN Economic Commission for Africa’s deputy executive secretary, Antonio Pedro, remarked, “Imagine the potential if African minerals are processed into African batteries, installed into African cars that are driven across the continent and the world... This would accelerate the deployment of renewable energy and the electrification of transport systems on the continent, create decent jobs and make Africa a competitive hub for green industrialisation.”

Click here to read the full article in the latest issue of African Review, including the initiatives being undertaken to realise the green mineral opportunity and the future market for medical manufacturing.

A new innovation to transform the manufacturing landscape

The PolyMorphic moulding technology in action.

Product manufacture could be anything you typically use a mould for such as vacuum forming, foam casting, food production or composite layup. (Image source: Fyous)

Fyous is seeking to fundamentally change the manufacturing industry by launching its PolyMorphic moulding technology

As the world’s first, infinitely reusable moulding technology, PloyMoprhic was devised and engineered by company co-founders Joshua Shires and Thomas Bloomfield. The product features more than 28,000 densely packed pins that create the mould and, when in position, can withstand six tonnes of distributed pressure.

Capable of adapting to a different shape in under 20 minutes, the product produces zero tooling waste and makes usable parts 14 times faster than 3D printing.

"Our mission is to deliver a revolutionary moulding technology that will disrupt prototyping and manufacturing sectors worldwide,” commented Shires. "Using PolyMorphic moulding to rapidly create accurate moulds for tooling will reduce time to market for a huge array of products, plus unlock commercial viability for desirable products which currently have no cost-effective manufacture method.

"Our mission is to deliver this disruption whilst reducing environmental impact. PolyMorphic moulding is a zero-waste technology where raw materials are conserved and the moulds can be used again and again. We will remove not only physical waste in the form of materials and tooling, but also remove wasted time by accelerating product development, prototyping and manufacture efficiencies.”

Limitless manufacturing applications?

It was originally conceived to create bespoke footwear for athletes but the founders, after realising the broader potential of PolyMorphic, have extended its application to include medical and other industrial uses. With patent-pending, PolyMorphic will be unveiled in full at the RAPID + TCT event in Los Angeles which is running from 25-27 June in USA.

"This versatility makes its possible applications almost limitless,” added Bloomfield. “Much like when 3D printing was developed, the applications it could potentially be used for was unknown by its inventors. The Fyous team is now undertaking this period of discovery with PolyMorphic moulding, uncovering potential applications for this technology at an exponential rate."

Danfoss strengthens African presence through BOCK integration

A promotional image showing a box with Bock and Danfoss logos.

According to Danfoss, BOCK’s renowned compressors are a natural fit for its existing solutions range. (Image source: Danfoss)

Danfoss, an engineering group providing solutions to increase machine productivity, reduce emissions, lower energy consumption and enable electrification, has finalised the acquisition of BOCK GmbH to firm up its position in Africa as a preferred provider of energy-efficient solutions

AVEVA eases pressure on manufacturing operations

A modern manufacturing facility with digital systems depicted helping.

AVEVA’s hybrid MES solution provides ready-to-use cloud services, so companies can quickly start visualizing and analysing manufacturing execution. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, has expanded its industrial intelligence platform, CONNECT, to expand excellence and sustainability within manufacturing operations

Top challenges inhibiting African manufacturing growth

A worker welding iron on a manufacturing facility floor.

The key issues restricting sub-Saharan Africa’s manufacturing sector will be unpacked at Manufacturing Indaba later this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Organisers of Manufacturing Indaba, a conference and exhibition dedicated the sub-Saharan African manufacturing sector that will be running from 22-23 October in Johannesburg, have provided a list of the top issues which could restrict the industry’s growth in 2024

Bell ventures beyond traditional market segment with new heavy industries division

GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)

GFE Power Products seeking partners

The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Husk to utilise new funding to expand solar minigrids in Africa

The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)

New programme to empower African contractors

ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Rethinking road infrastructure

Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)

Condra supports mill recover lost production

The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

Wacker Neuson equipment comes to Mauritius

The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)

A boost for Saudi-African business

Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

African banks remain steady despite turbulent environment

WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

West Africa receives boost for carbon market participation

Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)