Computer Business : How I made it in Africa building 3D printers | Tanzania

Computer Business : How I made it in Africa building 3D printers | Tanzania

Last week I met someone here in Lome with an idea I can safely say I've never heard before.

Kodjo Afate Gnikou wants to put e-waste often dumped in West Africa to good use on Mars, building a colony for the future.

Using rails and belts from old scanners, the case of a discarded desktop computer and even bits of a diskette drive, he's created what's believed to be the first 3D printer made from e-waste.

To be precise there are some components, like the programmable micro-control board and step motors, that were better purchased new than scavenged. 

All in, the 3D printer, named 'w.afate' cost $100 USD to make.

And Afate isn't done yet.

The 33-year-old, who makes a living repairing cellphones and computers in his neighbourhood, says he believes this model is only the prototype for something much larger.

"I imagine e-waste and other waste being transported to Mars and I imagine a 3D printer can be sent to Mars to make homes for mankind," says Afate.

"They all say it is merely a dream, that will never happen."

His dream has already won the NASA International Space Apps Challenge Paris. 

You can read more about the project here: http://wafatetomars.weebly.com/

Computer Business : How I made it in Africa building 3D printers | Tanzania computer business