In southern Morocco, a new semiconductor assembly plant began operations in early 2025, while in Kenya a government program trains young people in chip design. These are not isolated cases: Africa, historically relegated to exporting raw materials like coltan and copper, is now aiming to leap into high-tech manufacturing at a time when the global semiconductor supply chain is being completely reshaped.
By 2030, Africa's semiconductor market could reach $25 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
The geopolitical context: a window of opportunity
The US-China trade war, with its tariffs and export restrictions on technology, has fragmented the chip supply chain. Companies and governments are looking to diversify production sources beyond Taiwan, South Korea and mainland China. In this scenario, African countries such as Morocco, South Africa, Kenya and Ghana have begun positioning themselves as potential assembly and testing hubs, leveraging preferential trade agreements with the European Union and the United States.
What are semiconductors?
They are materials (like silicon) that can conduct electricity in a controlled way. They are the foundation of all modern electronic devices: phones, computers, cars, artificial intelligence systems, and medical equipment.
Beyond coltan: from resource to product
Africa holds more than 70% of the world's coltan reserves, a mineral essential for chip capacitors. But until now, the region barely participated in higher-value links. The new strategy aims to change that: train local engineers, build assembly and testing infrastructure, and attract foreign investment to create complete manufacturing ecosystems. Countries like Rwanda and Botswana have also launched tax incentives for tech companies.
The role of artificial intelligence
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous agents has skyrocketed demand for specialized chips, especially those designed to process large volumes of data with low energy consumption. Africa, with its growing young population and rapid digitalization, is not only an emerging market for these devices but could also become a hub for designing and testing low-cost AI chips tailored to local needs like precision agriculture or renewable energy management.
However, experts warn the road is long. Lack of stable electricity infrastructure, scarcity of ultrapure water needed for manufacturing, and brain drain to developed countries are real obstacles. Initiatives like the African Union's "Semiconductors for Africa" program aim for continental coordination to attract investment and share resources.
In 2025, South Africa announced a national plan to establish a silicon wafer foundry, with technological support from a German company. The project could be operational by 2028.
What does this mean for the world?
If Africa manages to consolidate a semiconductor ecosystem, the global impact would be profound: it would diversify an extremely concentrated supply chain, reduce dependence on East Asia, and offer a pathway for the continent to accelerate its industrial development. But for that, international cooperation —in the form of investment, technology transfer, and training— is as crucial as local political will. The world watches to see if this time the leap will be real or just another promise.