Tanzania, July 3 -- Dar es Salaam. A group of Tanzanian startup is transforming how innovators, schools and entrepreneurs access manufacturing technology by locally producing 3D printers and converting plastic waste into valuable products, reducing dependence on imported equipment.

Swahili D Maker founded by Florence Sakaya and her co-founder after research conducted at the 59th Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), says the initiative is making digital manufacturing more affordable while expanding access to innovation across the country.

"We realised the biggest challenge was not the technology itself but access and cost. Many people had to travel abroad, especially to China, to learn or produce prototypes. We wanted to change t...