Comments on: Fab Factories: Hardware Manufacturing in Africa

By: The Need for Both Makerspaces and Incubators in Africa — WhiteAfrican

The Need for Both Makerspaces and Incubators in Africa — WhiteAfrican — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:25:11 +0000

[…] of things in Africa. I wrote about it first in 2010 (Hardware hacking garages), then again in 2012 (Fab Factories: Hardware Manufacturing in Africa). I’m one of the founding organizers for Maker Faire Africa and the founder of AfriGadget. […]

By: Francis Wafula

Francis Wafula — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:11:09 +0000

Hi! The problem with Kenya at the moment, is that, If I want to invest in such an idea, it has to somehow feed the table. Not many people have the level of wealth to be able to gladly follow such ideas with no remorse whatsoever. I have also been thinking about the same thing for a long time now, and the one obstacle I keep on running across in my mind, is the fact that, shouldn’t I rather invest in things I know might work, rather than a wonderful dream”. Maybe if a group of local guys with similar interests can come together and come up with some form of techies investment crew/ team, it might work” The question is who is gonna break the question of how to monetize such an endeavour in Kenya. I don’t hesitate to say, whoever does it, I will imitate their every step soon after, and I will be shameless about it

By: The iHub UX Lab and Supercomputer Cluster | *iHub_

The iHub UX Lab and Supercomputer Cluster | *iHub_ — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

[...] Beyond that, weâ€re looking at hardware, thinking about what it would look like to have our ownÂ hackerspace and TechShop, in a model suited for [...]

By: Lauren Rosenberg

Lauren Rosenberg — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:21:52 +0000

@jke – really worthwhile point about the modular approach, I’ve seen this too with solar-powered DC microgrids that have been designed for use in informal settlements (http://www.specializedsolarsystems.co.za/) One of the cool design features is that the power system can be disassembled when residents return to their rural homesteads and can be used there because of its off-grid, plug-and-play design.

By: The iHub UX Lab and Supercomputer Cluster — WhiteAfrican

The iHub UX Lab and Supercomputer Cluster — WhiteAfrican — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:23:43 +0000

[…] that, we’re looking at hardware, thinking about what it would look like to have our own hackerspace and TechShop, in a model suited for […]

By: Untethered Hardware Connectivity in a Crisis | Lilith Lela

Untethered Hardware Connectivity in a Crisis | Lilith Lela — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:06:50 +0000

[…] been a fan of hardware hacking for a while, since I was a kid really (more on thisÂ here,hereÂ andÂ here). The disaster and crisis response space is ripe for upheaval in this as well. […]

By: Untethered Hardware Connectivity in a Crisis – The Ushahidi Blog

Untethered Hardware Connectivity in a Crisis – The Ushahidi Blog — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:06:27 +0000

[…] been a fan of hardware hacking for a while, since I was a kid really (more on this here, here and here). The disaster and crisis response space is ripe for upheaval in this as well. […]

By: Kamau Gachigi

Kamau Gachigi — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:20:18 +0000

Excellent article, Erik. Indeed you and I and others have been discussing this at great length. No doubt in my mind, the time is now. There are certain things the centers need to have: First, there must be a string teaching culture, taking advantage of all the modern facilitation for this already available: video/audio/text instructables, videod lectures (see udacity – this is a evolution underway in the delivery of tertiary education!) then peer-learning where gurus at the center prepare introductory classes on generic things users should know (basics of CAD/CAM, coding for micro controllers, PCB fabrication and micro controller programming (arduino’ fabduino and beyond), embedded computing, machine-to-machine comms, etc. (see what we do in Fab Academy here fabacademy.org). This is to up the game for the makers we have and introduce a whole new crop. The supply side of tech innovation is critical -trained people. This must offer certification, demystify the need for degrees. Then incubation services must be availed, and angel investor networks encouraged. There’s much more and I’m glad we’re working in this. As you said, “please express interest and we’ll make participation possible” (paraphrasing pg you there, Erik)

By: Maringa

Maringa — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 07:49:21 +0000

Fab Factories! I’m interested…the contact form doesnt seem to be working…always thought about drones for the somali border

By: DomainsAfrica

DomainsAfrica — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 19:13:49 +0000

I love the idea of making something going, however little, and then it picks traction. I think the problem we have had in Africa is talking too much and doing too little; I know we have good oral tradition but we need to begin emphasizing the act of doing and learning and improving as we go along. I recently saw a video of an Indian family, poor family in a village, making match boxes! That’s where we need to head to, we need to instill a “backyard industrial culture” in our people, Mao-style 🙂 although not in a violent manner 🙂