3D Printing Africa’s Development: The 3D Printing Revolution and Ethiopia’s ‘unfinished agenda’ on Manufacturing

Global Conference and Exhibition, 27th - 28th  April 2017, University of Gondar, Ethiopia

The University of Gondar (UoG) in partnership with the African Centre for Technology Studies(ACTS), the Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute (EBI) and the Science, Technology and Information Centre (STIC) of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and other partners,  is pleased to announce  The 1^st Digital Manufacturing Global Conference and Exhibition in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has made great strides in the development of its manufacturing sector. The IMF describes the Ethiopian manufacturing sector as ‘booming’ and lauds it as a sector that is ‘performing particularly well’. The growth of the sector registered in the 2010-2011 fiscal year was an impressive 18.6%. The sector’s contribution to GDP was 21.7% in 2014 and 15.2% in 2015. These figures are encouraging and indicate that Ethiopia is on the right track in trying to reverse the general trend of decline and stagnation of the sector in Africa - the phenomenon economists call ‘premature de-industrialisation’.

While these are encouraging achievements, the job in Ethiopia is far from ‘finished’.  The government’s own assessment as published in its second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II) acknowledges that ‘rapid industrialization and visible shift in the structure of the economy remains Ethiopia’s unfinished agenda’. It will indeed remain an ‘unfinished agenda’ not only for the reasons mentioned in the Plan but also due to the fast-changing global manufacturing landscape. The digitisation and automation of manufacturing is radically changing the sector with incredible challenges to the economies of rising countries like Ethiopia. These changes also present opportunities for skipping some stages of economic development helping these economies to leapfrog into advanced sustainable manufacturing.

Among the emerging automation technologies that is radically changing global manufacturing is 3D printing - also known as additive/digital manufacturing. 3D Printing is a process for making a physical real world object from a virtual digital model. Items that have already been printed include human body parts, prosthetics, aircraft and automotive parts, medical devices and implants, guns, toys and the list is endless. In principle, everything is 3D printable.

The fate of manufacturing in Ethiopia and the rest of the developing world is increasingly tied to emerging technologies, particularly 3D printing that The Economist called ‘the third industrial revolution’. In order to remain economically competitive, Ethiopia should accelerate the process of transitioning to high-value manufacturing by acquiring and developing capabilities in 3D printing technology. The Conference and Exhibition will be hosted by the University of Gondar in the medieval city of Gondar, the birth place of modern manufacturing in Ethiopia (à la Sebastopol). The event will create the unique opportunity to re-examine the state of the technology and the technology readiness that Ethiopia needs to develop. Further details on the Conference and Exhibition will be provided soon on the University of Gondar website and the websites of the conference partners. Sponsorship packages, registration details and important dates are provided on the websites of the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) at www.acts-net.org and the University of Gondar (UoG) at www.uog.edu.et

For inquiries contact the conference coordinator Dr Hailemichael T. Demissie by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone +251 945361394

Invited speakers (some to be confirmed)

• H.E Dr Eng Getahun Mekuria, Minister of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST)
• Dr Desalegn Mengesha, President, University of Gondar (UoG)
• Ato Towelde Gebremariam, CEO, Ethiopian Airlines
• Ato Mehrteab Leul, Principal and Founder, Meheretab Leul and Associates Law Office, and DLA Piper Ethiopia Representative
• Dr Cosmas Ochieng, Executive Director, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
• Mr. Jean Bakole, UNIDO Representative and Country Director
• Prof Teketel Yohanes, Academic Affairs Vice President, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU)
• Prof Bitange Ndemo, University of Nairobi, Kenya’s former Minister for Information and Communication
• Prof Godfrey Onwubolu, President, Delta Additive Manufacturing Inc., Ontario, Canada
• Dr Chuchu Girma, Academic and Research Vice Provost, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College
• Mr Fesseha Yetagessu, Managing Director, Science Technology and Information Centre (STIC)
• Mr Eric Savant, CEO, iMakr, London, UK
• Mr Roy Ombati, AB3D, Nairobi, Kenya
• Mr Karl Heinze, AB3D, Nairobi, Kenya
• Dr Solomon Tekle, University of Gondar
• Dr Hailemichael T. Demissie, University of Gondar

Sponsorship and Registration Information

The organizers of the conference are currently looking for financial sponsors to ensure the successful holding of the International Conference and Exhibition. By sponsoring the conference and exhibition, your organisation will be seen as a leader and early-stage supporter or this exciting new technology. Drawing together a unique and distinguished group of stakeholders, sponsors will have a chance to reach the key players in the emerging field of 3D printing in Africa.

Below are the levels of sponsorship available:

Keynote Sponsor:  35, 000 ETB

• Sponsor the conference dinner and give opening remarks at the dinner;
• 10 tickets to the dinner;
• Recognition during the opening plenary;
• 5 complimentary passes to the opening plenary;
• Exhibition space during the main conference for the entirety of the conference;
• Logo on the conference program and other marketing materials; and,
• Distribution of branding materials in delegate bags.

Gold Sponsor: 25,000 ETB

• Sponsor one luncheon during the conference and give opening remarks at the luncheon;
• 6 complimentary guest passes to the luncheon;
• Recognition during the opening plenary;
• 4 complimentary guest passes to the opening plenary;
• Exhibition space during the main conference for the entirety of the conference; and,
• Logo on conference program and other marketing materials.

Silver Sponsor: 15,000 ETB

• Sponsor one tea break during the conference, with the ability to display marketing materials during the tea break;
• 5 complimentary passes to the tea break;
• Recognition during the opening plenary;
• 3 complimentary guest passes to the opening plenary;
• Exhibition space during the main conference for the entirety of the conference; and,
• Logo on conference program and other marketing materials.

Exhibition Information:

Organizations can also choose to rent an exhibition booth for the duration of the 2-day conference. The exhibition booths will be within the conference venue, providing the ability for participants to visit during tea breaks, lunch, and before and after each day of the conference. The exhibition booths will include the lettering of the organization, a table, and power strip. Within the booth organizations are able to showcase any technology or products. The cost of renting an exhibition booth is 1500 ETB.

Registration

The fee for attending the conference is 700 ETB for students and 1200 ETB for non-students.

This includes conference material, lunch and tea/coffee on 27 and 28 April 2017, and a conference dinner on the 27^th.

Registration will open on 12 March 2017 and closes on 20 April 2017.

Further details on the sponsorship packages and the registration will be provided soon.

Contact Information:

For further information on the conference please contact:

Dr. Hailemichael Teshome Demissie

Assoc Prof, School of Law, University of Gondar This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. || This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. || This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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• Concept Note