Accra: Ghana is set to become the first operational node in a continental manufacturing network aimed at reducing industrial downtime caused by delays in sourcing critical replacement parts. Sodah Engineering and Logistics Limited (SELL), a Ghanaian engineering and logistics company, has been appointed the exclusive Ghanaian partner and operator of the Africa Distributed Additive Manufacturing (ADAM) Network by technology firm Arridex Limited.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Tesa D. Ayernor, SELL Managing Director, stated that the arrangement would help address supply-chain constraints and create opportunities to develop advanced manufacturing capabilities in Ghana. "When a critical part fails in Ghana today, industry can wait months for a replacement to arrive from another continent, and that wait is one of the largest undiscussed costs in our economy," Dr. Ayernor explained. He emphasized that the initiative is not just about faster supply chains but also about building genuine manufacturing capability as the first node of the ADAM Network, setting a precedent for subsequent nodes across the continent.
The network will connect Ghanaian and other West African industries to Arridex's Omnifactory facility in Lagos, Nigeria, allowing for the on-demand manufacture of selected industrial components using advanced additive manufacturing technologies. This model is particularly targeted at sectors such as mining, oil and gas, power, manufacturing, maritime, defense, and the public sector, where delays in obtaining specialized components can impact equipment availability and production.
Under this arrangement, obsolete or unavailable components can be digitally scanned, reverse engineered, and manufactured to specification, while spare-parts inventories can be digitized for production as needed. This approach is anticipated to reduce reliance on lengthy overseas supply chains and the necessity for industries to maintain large inventories of specialized replacement parts.
Mr. Kayode Adeleke, Arridex Group Chief Executive Officer, commented on the significance of the Ghana expansion as part of a broader strategy to bolster industrial resilience across Africa. He highlighted the importance of establishing a tech-driven manufacturing network that empowers local industries to produce high-value components on demand and build operational resilience.
The network is expected to operate through locally owned national partners linked to shared manufacturing infrastructure and a common digital platform. Arridex aims to establish 25 ADAM Network nodes in 15 African countries over the next five years, with the Lagos Omnifactory serving as the network's anchor. Future plans also include the expansion to a Mega Omnifactory by 2027.
Dr. Ayernor noted that the Ghana operation would involve collaboration with universities, research institutions, and training organizations to develop skills in digital design, component scanning, materials selection, and advanced manufacturing engineering. He emphasized that building an additive manufacturing capability involves developing a national skill set, which could lead to building an industry rather than just a business.
The initiative also aligns with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by facilitating the production and movement of industrial components, engineering services, and digital manufacturing assets between African markets. Dr. Ayernor pointed out that while AfCFTA discussions have largely focused on tariff schedules and protocols, this development provides the industrial substance needed for a successful trade framework.
Efforts to establish the Ghana node will commence immediately, focusing on industry engagement, pilot projects, digitization of legacy spare-parts inventories, technical training, and institutional partnerships. This development comes as African industries seek to reduce exposure to external supply-chain disruptions and enhance local capacity to maintain imported and aging industrial equipment.