Africa explores path to local semiconductor manufacturing at Investors Forum

By:  Kanto Kai Okanta

Stakeholders across government, industry, and research institutions have called for coordinated action to advance semiconductor manufacturing in Africa during the Africa Semiconductor Investors Forum convened by the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD.

The forum, held under the theme “From the Ground Up: Africa's Minerals-To-Microchips Moment,” brought together policymakers, investors, and technology leaders to examine strategies for building a resilient semiconductor ecosystem on the continent.

Discussions during a panel session titled “Chips for the Connected Continent: Demand-Side Case for Local Semiconductor Manufacturing” emphasised the importance of aggregating demand through governments and large enterprises acting as anchor customers. Participants highlighted that long-term procurement commitments and supportive policy frameworks could play a critical role in de-risking investment and attracting capital into the sector.

Experts noted that Africa’s pathway to semiconductor development could begin with fabless chip design and back-end manufacturing processes such as assembly and testing, while gradually building capabilities in more advanced production stages. The approach is seen as a pragmatic strategy to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen local value chains.

Capacity development, particularly among young professionals, was identified as a key enabler of the sector’s growth, with stakeholders underscoring the need for targeted skills development and training initiatives.

The discussions reflect a growing consensus that Africa has the potential to position itself within the global semiconductor value chain by leveraging its resource base, expanding digital demand, and implementing coordinated industrial policies.