AOI and Immensa Partnership Accelerates Digital Manufacturing in Line with Vision 2030
Egypt is embracing 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing technologies as a path toward industrial self-sufficiency and reduced import dependence. In June 2025, the Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) hosted a workshop titled “Utilizing 3D Printing and Digital Technologies for Spare Parts Manufacturing” at its Digital Manufacturing Center, in collaboration with Immensa, a leading digital manufacturing company from the Gulf region. AOI Chairman, Major General Eng. Mokhtar Abdellatif, reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to localizing industrial production through digital transformation and aligning with Vision 2030. He emphasized that the AOI is immediately initiating the production of spare parts via 3D printing for sectors such as automotive, aerospace, medical equipment, and heavy machinery.
Located within the Engine Factory complex, AOI’s Digital Manufacturing Center is equipped with state-of-the-art Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. It has already localized production for key components such as industrial water pumps and is capable of manufacturing according to both domestic and international quality standards. Egypt currently requires 2,500–3,000 pumps annually, previously dependent on imports. With this center now operational, the country aims to meet local demand and reduce foreign exchange outflows.
AOI and Immensa: Strategic Technology Partnership
The event marks a significant milestone in the integration of additive manufacturing (AM) and digital spare parts production in Egypt. Immensa, headquartered in Dammam and Dubai, has been a pioneer in the digital transformation of spare parts supply chains in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Since its founding in 2016, Immensa has developed a robust digital inventory platform, analyzed over 1 million spare parts, and additively manufactured more than 15,000 components. Its clients include industry leaders like Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and Schlumberger.
Immensa CEO Fahmi Al-Shawa participated in the workshop, presenting the company’s digital warehousing and on-demand production model. The integration of Immensa’s technology with AOI’s manufacturing capabilities is set to revolutionize Egypt’s spare parts strategy, offering a decentralized, just-in-time production model that reduces downtime and costs.
AOI announced that it is rapidly evaluating critical spare parts needs and deploying 3D printing systems to address them immediately. According to Abdellatif, additive manufacturing allows for on-demand, rapid, and cost-effective production of precision-engineered parts, including components that are no longer available through traditional supply chains. This move directly supports President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s directive to strengthen Egyptian industry and increase domestic content across manufacturing sectors.
Minister of the Public Business Sector, Eng. Mohamed Shimi, emphasized that modernizing Egypt’s industrial base with advanced manufacturing will lower imports, enhance competitiveness, and create skilled jobs. Dr. Eng. Sayed Ismail, Deputy Minister of Housing, highlighted the relevance of the initiative for infrastructure systems such as drinking water purification and wastewater treatment. He expressed intent to prioritize local procurement and explore export opportunities to Africa and the Gulf region.
Global 3D Printing Trends in Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, is emerging as a transformative force in Industry 4.0. Globally, key technological trends include:
- On-Demand Manufacturing: Digital inventories combined with local 3D printing hubs allow companies to produce only what is needed, when it is needed—cutting lead times, shipping costs, and excess inventory. Immensa’s platform enables spare part digitization and localized production, significantly improving supply chain efficiency.
- High Complexity and Precision: Modern 3D printers offer high resolution and can produce geometrically complex parts not feasible with traditional subtractive methods. This enhances product design flexibility and enables performance optimization through lightweighting and integration of multi-functional components.
- Sustainability and Cost Efficiency: Compared to traditional manufacturing, AM reduces material waste, energy usage, and overall carbon emissions. By eliminating unnecessary logistics and warehousing, 3D printing supports leaner, greener manufacturing models.
- Cross-Industry Adoption: AM has expanded from prototyping to end-use part production across sectors such as automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and energy. Applications include spare part production, tooling, medical implants, and even architectural components.
Industrial Use Cases of 3D Printing
Leading manufacturers worldwide have adopted 3D printing to enhance flexibility, lower costs, and improve speed-to-market. Examples include:
- Automotive: BMW, Ford, and others utilize 3D printing for rapid prototyping and producing complex, low-volume parts, reducing product development cycles and enabling customized solutions.
- Aerospace: Boeing and Airbus use metal 3D printing to produce engine components, airframe parts, and lightweight structures. Additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of high-performance parts with fewer joints and reduced weight.
- Healthcare: Customized implants, prosthetics, and surgical guides tailored to individual patients are now commonly 3D printed, improving surgical outcomes and patient comfort.
- Oil & Gas: Immensa collaborates with major energy firms to 3D print critical replacement parts for pipelines, refineries, and drilling equipment, bypassing traditional delays in sourcing obsolete components.
- Jewelry and Consumer Goods: Egyptian startup Lamina has developed the country’s first locally made 3D printer for gold jewelry. Using over 90% locally sourced components, Lamina’s technology highlights Egypt’s growing capabilities in precision AM.
Conclusion: Toward Regional Leadership in Smart Manufacturing
3D printing is moving beyond experimentation and prototyping into large-scale industrial production. With strategic investments in infrastructure and partnerships—like AOI’s collaboration with Immensa—Egypt is positioning itself as a regional leader in digital manufacturing. The integration of local 3D printing capabilities into critical industries marks a turning point in the country’s pursuit of industrial independence and global competitiveness.
As Egypt continues to expand its smart manufacturing ecosystem, the lessons from this initiative could serve as a blueprint for other emerging economies seeking to localize production, reduce import dependence, and harness the power of Industry 4.0.