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Arridex Commissions West Africa’s First Multi-Technology Industrial Additive Manufacturing Facility in Lagos

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This story was published by MSME Africa on June 19, 2026 and curated on Africa Front.

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African Technology, West Africa News, Nigeria News

June 19, 2026

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Arridex Commissions West Africa’s First Multi-Technology Industrial Additive Manufacturing Facility in Lagos

Arridex has officially commissioned the Arridex Omnifactory, described as West Africa’s first multi-technology industrial additive manufacturing facility, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s industrial and manufacturing landscape.

The facility was commissioned in Lagos by Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a ceremony attended by senior government officials, industry leaders, members of the diplomatic corps and delegates participating in the Invest Lagos 3.0 forum.

The launch represents a major step towards localising industrial production and reducing dependence on imported industrial components and spare parts across critical sectors of the economy.

Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the facility demonstrates how innovation and local manufacturing can strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base while creating new opportunities for economic growth.

According to him, producing industrial components within Lagos will help reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, improve supply chain resilience and support the development of local expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies.

The Arridex Omnifactory brings together several advanced additive manufacturing technologies under one facility, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Cold Spray, Fused Filament Fabrication and Selective Laser Sintering. The integrated technologies allow for the on-demand production of industrial components, replacement parts and enhanced product designs for industries such as oil and gas, maritime, aerospace, defence, construction and manufacturing.

The facility also possesses large-format manufacturing capabilities that enable the production of full-scale marine components and other large industrial structures, providing local industries with access to specialised manufacturing solutions that were previously sourced from international markets.

For many businesses operating in Nigeria and across West Africa, sourcing industrial spare parts often involves lengthy procurement processes, foreign exchange exposure and extended shipping timelines. The new facility is expected to help address these challenges by enabling local production of critical components, including parts that have become difficult to obtain because their original manufacturers no longer exist.

The commissioning of the Omnifactory also reflects Arridex’s transformation over the last two decades. The company began operations in 2005 as an asset integrity services provider within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector before expanding into maritime, defence, construction, aerospace and technology-related activities.

Over that period, the company has recorded more than seven million man-hours of operations without a lost-time incident, highlighting its emphasis on operational safety and project delivery.

Arridex’s growing position within the additive manufacturing sector has received several institutional recognitions. The company holds Pioneer Status in additive manufacturing granted by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and became the first company qualified by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to deploy additive manufacturing technology within Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The company also maintains a joint venture partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria aimed at supporting local production of military-grade additive-manufactured components.

Further strengthening its international profile, Arridex became the first African member of the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association and serves as a Designated Strategic Partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.

Speaking on the significance of the project, Arridex Group Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Adeleke, said the company’s focus has always been on building resilient industrial capabilities within Africa rather than simply pursuing rapid growth.

He noted that the Omnifactory is the culmination of more than twenty years of investment, expertise and industrial development, adding that the company intends to continue expanding its manufacturing footprint.

According to Adeleke, Arridex plans to commission the Arridex Mega Omnifactory in the first quarter of 2027, a facility the company says will rank among the largest single-site industrial additive manufacturing centres globally.

The development is expected to create opportunities for manufacturers, engineering firms, technology companies and SMEs operating across industrial value chains. By improving access to locally produced industrial parts and reducing supply chain delays, the facility could help businesses lower operating costs, improve productivity and strengthen competitiveness.

For Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, the Omnifactory represents a broader shift toward advanced manufacturing and industrial self-sufficiency, positioning Lagos as an emerging hub for innovation, engineering and technology-driven production in Africa.

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Abuja Furniture Production (AFP), the furniture-making subsidiary of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has showcased locally manufactured furniture at Design Week Lagos, highlighting the role of Nigerian manufacturers in promoting local production, developing young designers and creating opportunities in the furniture industry.

The company received commendation from Titi Ogufere, founder of Design Week Lagos, during a visit to its pavilion at the ongoing exhibition. Ogufere praised AFP for integrating young designers into its production processes and maintaining its support for the annual event.

She noted that AFP had participated in the Made by Design show for more than eight years, missing only one or two editions, describing its continued involvement as important to the development of Nigeria’s furniture industry.

Ogufere said the exhibition provides a platform for outstanding Nigerian brands while promoting young designers and creative thinkers. She expressed hope that AFP would continue working with the organisers to strengthen the Made-in-Nigeria brand and increase the visibility of locally manufactured products.

Responding, AFP’s General Manager, Oliver Cohnen, thanked Ogufere for the recognition and commended her for creating a platform where Nigerian furniture brands can showcase products capable of competing with international alternatives.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the exhibition, Cohnen also shared lessons for aspiring manufacturers, advising them to understand their target markets and customers’ needs before committing substantial resources to machinery and production equipment.

Drawing on his 20 years of experience in the furniture industry, he said successful manufacturing depends on several factors, including appropriate production capacity, efficient factory layout, reliable suppliers and effective quality control.

He also stressed the importance of training workers before expanding operations, noting that skilled employees play a central role in manufacturing performance.

“For me, it is the people who make the difference, not the machines,” he said.

Another panellist, Jonathan Agwunobi, co-founder of TRT Arredo Limited, highlighted the importance of standardising production processes to improve efficiency and maintain consistent product quality as businesses grow.

Agwunobi advised manufacturers to develop expertise in selected areas instead of pursuing every available commercial opportunity. He added that customer feedback and lessons from other manufacturers could help businesses improve their processes and products.

Visitors to the AFP pavilion also praised the quality of its furniture and the contribution of local manufacturing to job creation, skills development and reduced dependence on imported finished products.

An architect identified as Ina, who has worked with AFP on several projects, said he had experienced no problems with the company’s furniture, cabinetry and doors. He commended their finishing, attention to detail and durability, noting that much of the manufacturing and assembly work takes place in Nigeria.

Although some components, including hinges, locking systems and certain upholstery fabrics, are imported, the company’s local woodworking and timber-processing operations contribute to domestic value creation.

Mena Glory, a content creator and media professional who owns Silver Pinnacle Heritage, also praised the products on display, noting that customers would be willing to pay for furniture that delivers good quality.

At the exhibition, AFP showcased several products, including the Vienna centre table, made from solid timber and veneered medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and the Valerie Walsh shelf, produced using lacquered MDF panels.

The company’s participation in Design Week Lagos highlights opportunities for Nigerian furniture manufacturers to increase the visibility of locally made products, collaborate with designers and strengthen their competitiveness through quality production, skilled workers and a better understanding of customer needs.

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Business

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Synafare, a renewable energy supply-chain and financing company, is offering solar businesses up to ₦100 million in financing per merchant to help them expand operations, purchase equipment, improve procurement and access new markets.

The company announced the financing opportunity at its Solar Roundtable 2.0 in Lagos, where industry stakeholders discussed access to finance, supply-chain challenges and growth opportunities in Nigeria’s solar energy market.

Tobi Esho, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Synafare, said the company was established about two years ago to address financing constraints facing solar installers and other businesses operating in the renewable energy sector.

According to Esho, Synafare has expanded beyond providing credit to installers to connecting manufacturers, distributors and developers. The platform helps businesses access authentic products at competitive prices while providing financing to support procurement and business growth.

He explained that access to credit depends partly on how well businesses structure their operations and demonstrate consistent commercial activity.

“Credit doesn’t go to businesses just because they exist. Financial institutions want to see predictability, structure and business activity,” Esho said.

Esho noted that the first edition of the Solar Roundtable focused on marketing, business positioning and helping installers organise their operations to improve their chances of accessing financing. The second edition expanded the discussion to supplier relationships, competitive pricing and opportunities for installers to enter product distribution and retail.

Synafare currently works with more than 2,000 businesses in the renewable energy sector, providing supply-chain support and financing to help them purchase equipment and execute projects.

Its platform covers products including inverters, batteries, solar equipment, energy-efficient appliances, electric bikes and tricycles. Through partnerships with manufacturers and authorised distributors, the company provides logistics and buy-now-pay-later financing to installers, end customers and distributors purchasing products in bulk.

Esho disclosed that two merchants had received a combined ₦170 million in financing before the event officially began. The company is targeting 100 merchants under the initiative.

He encouraged solar installers to consider expanding into retail and product distribution, noting that bulk purchases could lower procurement costs and improve profit margins. He also advised businesses seeking larger corporate and government contracts to strengthen their professional structures, workforce and operational capacity.

During a panel discussion themed “The Future of Solar Trade in Nigeria,” industry stakeholders highlighted the importance of technical standards, workforce development and reliable electricity access in supporting the growth of solar businesses.

Babafemi Isaac, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kommercial Solar Limited, said his business had grown from residential installations to serving larger customers. He identified functionality, safety and aesthetics as important considerations in delivering quality solar installations.

Isaac added that expansion required businesses to recruit and train more workers, including roofers and other artisans, while maintaining quality control as project demands increased.

Chinwe Udo Udun Davies, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Instoller, emphasised the role of staff training and digital tools in helping solar businesses expand across multiple locations.

“The cost of not training your people means your business can go down,” she said, urging entrepreneurs to invest in employee development rather than attempt to manage every aspect of their operations themselves.

Tega Ishaya, a COREN-registered electrical engineer and commercial development associate at Elektron Energy Development Strategies Limited, said Nigeria’s electricity access gap presented opportunities for solar businesses to serve both underserved consumers dealing with unreliable electricity and unserved communities without electricity access.

The discussions highlighted the need for solar businesses to combine access to finance with reliable supply chains, skilled workers and quality assurance to compete for larger projects.

For solar entrepreneurs, the financing initiative could provide additional capacity to purchase equipment, fulfil customer orders and explore distribution opportunities. However, businesses seeking to scale will also need sound financial management, trained personnel and operational systems capable of supporting sustained growth.

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Business

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Ten experienced business development trainers from Nigeria, Liberia, Uganda and Somalia have graduated from the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Start and Improve Your Business International Training of Master Trainers (SIYB-IToMT), strengthening efforts to expand business management support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across Africa.

The 10-day residential programme was organised by Mind+ Facilitation Co Nigeria Ltd in partnership with the Masterpeace Resource Development Centre (MRDC). It was led by Stephen Kyalibulha, an ILO SIYB Master Trainer Developer from Uganda, with Noruwa Edokpolo, Principal Consultant at Mind+ Facilitation and an ILO SIYB Master Trainer Developer Candidate, serving as co-facilitator.

The programme is designed to equip experienced trainers with the skills to train and certify other business development trainers, who can then deliver structured business management training to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs in their communities.

The ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme supports small enterprises through three core training packages: Generate Your Business Idea (GYB), Start Your Business (SYB) and Improve Your Business (IYB). These packages help entrepreneurs develop business ideas, establish enterprises and strengthen the management of existing businesses.

During the training, participants covered adult learning methodologies, the organisation and delivery of SIYB Training of Trainers programmes, practical facilitation exercises and structured feedback. They also worked with the SIYB Game and SIYB Gateway and learned approaches to coaching, trainer assessment and quality assurance.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Wale-Smatt Oyerinde, Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), described micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as vital to African economies. He stressed that business success requires more than passion, highlighting the importance of sound management skills and structured guidance.

Oyerinde said the participants were being prepared not only to manage business training but also to train and certify other trainers who could build the capacity of thousands of small business owners across the continent.

Edokpolo said the cohort demonstrated the potential of African expertise to support African enterprises. He explained that the new Master Trainers would train and certify SIYB Trainers, who would then extend the programme to entrepreneurs in their respective communities.

As part of their commitment, each new Master Trainer is expected to conduct at least one SIYB Training of Trainers programme within 12 months. This requirement is intended to extend the reach of the training beyond the initial cohort and increase the number of trainers equipped to support small businesses.

By developing more qualified business trainers, the initiative aims to widen access to structured business management education, helping entrepreneurs strengthen their business practices and build more sustainable enterprises across Nigeria, Liberia, Uganda and Somalia.

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