Kodjo Afate Gnikou, of Togolese origin, has managed to prove that the African continent is quite capable of competing with Western countries in terms of printer design and especially 3D models.
Kodjo Afate creates a 3-D printer based on local recovery equipment and electronic waste.
To create his 3D printer, he drew his inspiration from the Prusa Mendel model, this 3D printer that can print using PLA or ABS filament.
Kodjo Afate Gnikou’s goal is to design prostheses using his 3D printer because in Africa, the cost of prostheses is very high.
With this invention, Kodjo Afate Gnikou has succeeded in proving that Africa is quite capable of competing with the West in the field of new technologies. Today, he is looking for a way to extend his business to all of Africa so as to manufacture prostheses specific to the handicaps of Africans.
He wants to be able to market his 3D printer at low cost (50,000 CFA francs).
Afate has won the 1st prize for technological innovation during the 10th international conference of the network of digital manufacturing laboratories (FabLab).