Africa’s manufacturing landscape is changing. Growing industrial sectors and increasing regional trade are creating new opportunities for local production. With that comes a growing demand for a capability that underpins almost every manufacturing industry: tooling.
For Africa to build a stronger and more competitive manufacturing future, developing its own Tool, Die & Mould (TDM) capabilities will be essential.
This opportunity was reinforced during the recent 17th ISTMA World Conference in Shanghai, attended by PtSA Group CEO and ISTMA Africa President, Tapiwa Samanga.
The conference, followed by a visit to Taizhou, one of China’s major tooling centres, offered valuable insight into the scale and technological advancement of the global TDM industry, and the opportunity that lies ahead for Africa.
Tooling at the Heart of Manufacturing
Before products can be manufactured at scale, the tools, dies and moulds required to make them must first be designed and produced. Without strong local tooling capabilities, African manufacturers remain heavily dependent on imported equipment and expertise.
South Africa currently leads the continent in TDM capability, but manufacturing is expanding across Africa. Countries including Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia are growing their automotive, packaging and consumer goods sectors, creating greater demand for tooling expertise.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could further strengthen this opportunity by supporting greater regional specialisation, collaboration and more integrated African supply chains.
New Opportunities in Automotive Manufacturing
The transformation of the global automotive industry presents a particularly significant opportunity.
The transition towards electric and hybrid vehicles is creating new tooling requirements for vehicle platforms, body components, battery housings and production systems. South Africa is preparing its automotive sector for new-energy vehicles, while Morocco continues to expand its electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities.
For African tooling companies with the right skills and technology, this evolving industry represents an opportunity to become part of a rapidly changing global manufacturing landscape.
Technology and Skills Must Go Hand in Hand
During his visit to China, Tapiwa saw first-hand the scale and technological maturity of one of the world’s leading tooling industries. Modern toolrooms increasingly rely on advanced CNC machining, design and simulation software, automation and connected manufacturing systems to improve speed, precision and productivity.
For Africa, this creates an opportunity to invest directly in the technologies shaping manufacturing today rather than following the same industrial development path as established economies.
But technology alone cannot build an industry.
The shortage of skilled toolmakers, programmers, designers and advanced manufacturing professionals remains one of the greatest constraints to growth. Developing these skills through structured, industry-aligned training and apprenticeships will be critical to building Africa’s future manufacturing capability.
This is an area where PtSA continues to play an important role through its industry-driven training model and investment in developing globally competitive TDM skills.
Collaboration Will Drive Growth
Africa’s tooling industry faces significant competition from established global markets, particularly in Asia, where scale and cost remain major advantages. Investment in advanced machinery and infrastructure can also be challenging, especially for smaller manufacturers.
Overcoming these barriers will require greater collaboration between industry, government and training institutions. Shared infrastructure, investment in skills and technology, common standards and stronger regional cooperation can all help create a more competitive African tooling industry.
The next decade presents an important opportunity.
By investing now in people, technology and collaboration, Africa can strengthen its manufacturing independence, retain more value within its economies and build a TDM industry capable of competing on the global stage.
For PtSA and ISTMA Africa, the goal is clear: to continue strengthening the skills, capabilities and partnerships needed to help build Africa’s tooling future.
