While the likes of Google, Apple and Facebook usually dominate tech-news, places far away from California at the US West Coast have been emerging as innovation hubs as well. In Nairobi / Kenya, countless start-ups have settled down over the past couple of years, constituting a driving force for Africa’s entering the age of digitalisation. For example, the mobile payments solution “MPESA”, one of the greatest high tech innovations from Africa, was developed in the “Silicon Savannah”. Notably, 85% of Kenyans have access to an internet connection, of which 35.2% is established through fibreglass cables.

Another example of a thriving start-up is AB3D, a company that aims to bring 3D-printing technology to Kenya – as spare parts of any kind are often not available here, printing them using polymer filaments as feedstocks could be a simple solution. The team manufactures 3D printers from recycled electronics waste, and keeps the costs for printers low, affordable and accessible for a wide variety of local manufacturers.

Watch AB3D's video on 3D printing in Africa.