February 2026 Updates for Design Engineers
Read the latest semiconductor and electronics news and updates.
In this edition:
Würth Elektronik at LEAP Riyadh 2026 with McKinsey Electronics
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Semiconductor Localization at Riyadh Industry Forum
Tunisia Positions for Semiconductor and AI Investment at TIA Strategic Council
Würth Elektronik at LEAP Riyadh 2026 with McKinsey Electronics
From 13–16 April 2026, Würth Elektronik will exhibit at LEAP Riyadh 2026, bringing its engineering-driven portfolio to one of the region’s most visible technology stages. At Booth H4.E70, visitors will be able to engage around real design and deployment challenges where component performance, reliability and integration decisions matter.
McKinsey Electronics will be exhibiting alongside Würth Elektronik as the regional distribution and execution partner, supporting customer engagement in Saudi Arabia and ensuring the conversation extends beyond the booth into practical next steps. This joint presence reflects what Saudi customers increasingly expect: global-grade technology backed by a partner on the ground who can support projects with structured follow-up, local coordination, and supply continuity.
What visitors can expect at Booth H4.E70
Engineering discussions linked to project requirements and application constraints.
Relevant conversations around EMC, magnetics, power and connectivity aligned to Würth Elektronik solutions.
A clear path from interest to action, supported by McKinsey Electronics for regional coordination and supply planning.
Why this matters for KSA
Together, Würth Elektronik and McKinsey Electronics bring global component expertise backed by local execution and support to KSA. This anchors our presence in:
A globally recognized manufacturer’s technical leadership.
High-quality, engineering-led conversations with real project relevance.
A stronger proof point for customers evaluating long-term partners in the Kingdom.
Visit Würth Elektronik and McKinsey Electronics at Booth H4.E70 | 13–16 April 2026 | LEAP Riyadh
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Semiconductor Localization at Riyadh Industry Forum
Saudi Arabia’s semiconductor localization ambitions moved into sharper focus on February 10, 2026, when Riyadh hosted the Semiconductor Forum of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a one-day convening that brought together senior government stakeholders, global technology firms, investors, academia and industry experts around a coordinated “Localization Plan 2030” agenda.
The forum positioned semiconductors as a foundational enabler of national priorities tied to Vision 2030, linking ecosystem development directly to the infrastructure now shaping modern economies: AI platforms, hyperscale data centers, cloud services, advanced computing, energy systems and smart industries. Discussions focused on practical levers that turn strategy into capability, local content development, advanced manufacturing pathways, workforce enablement and investment frameworks, with an emphasis on how these pieces interlock across the semiconductor value chain.
A notable anchor of the day was a keynote delivered by Dr. Naveed Sherwani, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Semiconductor Hub, under the title “A Call for a Saudi Semiconductor Localization Plan 2030.” He emphasized an approach that goes beyond simple downstream activities, extending localization into design capabilities, advanced packaging, R&D and strategic manufacturing partnerships, supported by policy alignment, targeted international partnerships and structured talent development.
The participant mix underscored the cross-sector nature of the effort. According to event reporting, the forum included companies spanning chips, cloud, real estate advisory, infrastructure and industrial ecosystems, among them Qualcomm, Lenovo, Amazon Web Services (AWS), HUMAIN, EPIC Semi, JLL, Datavolt, Go Telecom and UltraSense, reflecting how semiconductor localization increasingly sits at the intersection of compute, facilities, energy and industrial deployment.
Motion around packaging, infrastructure and AI sovereignty also appeared in related announcements tied to the forum. Following the event, Tonomia and Epic Semi referenced intent to collaborate on localizing TonoForge™, described as a modular “AI factory” platform, as part of broader efforts to develop energy-efficient AI infrastructure aligned with Vision 2030, thus illustrating the ecosystem’s linkage between silicon strategy and data-center-class deployment models.
Taken together, the Riyadh forum signaled a clear direction: semiconductors are being treated as an enabling layer for Saudi Arabia’s next wave of industrial capacity, where design, packaging, manufacturing and talent develop in parallel with the infrastructure that will consume and scale them.
For regional technology partners, this national acceleration toward semiconductor localization creates a parallel need for structured access to global component ecosystems and applied engineering expertise. Dubai-Based
McKinsey Electronics, operating across the GCC, Türkiye and Africa, plays a complementary role by connecting international semiconductor manufacturers with local OEMs, EMS providers and emerging industrial players. As Saudi Arabia expands its capabilities in design, advanced packaging and AI-linked infrastructure, the ability to align component sourcing, technical engagement and supply traceability with evolving local requirements becomes an important enabler of execution alongside policy and investment frameworks.
Safran to Invest $332M in New Aerospace Plant in Mororcco
French aerospace group Safran has announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing footprint in Morocco with a planned $332 million investment in a new landing gear production facility near Casablanca. The project was formally launched in February 2026 in a ceremony at the Royal Palace in Casablanca presided over by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, underscoring Morocco’s growing role in global aerospace supply chains.
The new facility, developed by Safran Landing Systems, will span roughly 26,000 m² within the Midparc integrated aeronautics and space platform in Nouaceur near Casablanca. It is designed to support the production ramp-up of the Airbus A320 family, one of the world’s most widely deployed commercial aircraft programs, by supplying landing gear components, modules and dedicated hydraulic systems to the aircraft maker and its assembly network.
Landing gear systems play a critical role in aircraft safety, performance and reliability, involving precision machining, assembly, certification and advanced maintenance operations. Locating this production capability in Morocco reflects a deliberate strategic choice by Safran to harness the country’s growing industrial ecosystem and talent base while bringing critical manufacturing closer to key aerospace markets. Operations at the new plant are expected to begin in 2029.
The project is anticipated to create around 500 skilled jobs, supported by comprehensive training programs developed with local partners to cultivate specialized competencies in precision manufacturing and aerospace assembly. The facility will be powered entirely by decarbonized electricity, aligning with broader industry and national commitments to sustainability and energy transition.
Safran’s presence in Morocco spans more than two decades, during which the group has established an array of aerospace operations and partnerships that include engine component production and maintenance lines. According to company statements, the new landing gear plant builds on that legacy while deepening integration into global aircraft manufacturing value chains.
Morocco’s aerospace sector has grown into a dynamic industrial cluster with some 150 companies and roughly 25,000 workers. The addition of high-value landing gear production enhances the country’s capacity to participate in complex aircraft systems, thus reinforcing its position as a strategic hub for aerospace manufacturing in Africa and beyond.
As Morocco advances into higher-value aerospace manufacturing, the supporting electronics ecosystem becomes increasingly strategic. Modern landing gear production and testing environments depend on precision control systems, industrial automation platforms, power management architectures and embedded electronics that ensure reliability and certification compliance.
Strengthening these layers requires consistent access to qualified semiconductor and component technologies alongside structured technical engagement. In this evolving landscape, regional partners such as McKinsey Electronics contribute by connecting global component manufacturers with industrial players across North Africa, supporting supply continuity and engineering alignment as aerospace capabilities scale.
Tunisia Positions for Semiconductor and AI Investment at TIA Strategic Council
On February 10, 2026, the Tunisia Investment Authority (TIA) convened its 23rd Strategic Council session, placing semiconductors, artificial intelligence and data centers at the center of Tunisia’s 2026 investment priorities. The session reflected a broader global shift in capital allocation toward advanced technologies and infrastructure, with Tunisian policymakers positioning the country to capture higher-value, capital-intensive industrial projects aligned with long-term competitiveness goals.
During the council discussions, semiconductors were identified as a structural growth sector underpinning digital transformation, advanced manufacturing, automotive electronics, telecommunications and AI-driven infrastructure. Tunisia’s established electronics manufacturing base, combined with its engineering talent pool and geographic proximity to European markets, was highlighted as a foundation for deeper integration into global semiconductor value chains. The emphasis was placed on assembly activities as well as on opportunities in design services, testing and specialized manufacturing support functions.
Artificial intelligence and data center investments were similarly framed as strategic enablers of economic modernization. With AI workloads driving demand for compute infrastructure and localized data processing, the council pointed to Tunisia’s potential role in hosting regional data facilities and AI-support ecosystems. These investments align with broader North African digitalization efforts and increasing demand for secure, regionally hosted infrastructure.
A central theme of the session was the importance of joint ventures as a mechanism for accelerating technology transfer and industrial upgrading. Council members emphasized that partnerships between international technology firms and local entities can facilitate knowledge exchange, skills development and integration into higher-value segments of the global supply chain. By leveraging joint venture models, Tunisia aims to strengthen domestic capabilities while maintaining alignment with international standards and market requirements.
The Strategic Council also underscored the need for coordinated policy frameworks, investor facilitation mechanisms, and workforce development initiatives to support these ambitions. Advanced sectors such as semiconductors and AI require long-term planning across regulatory, financial and educational domains to ensure sustainable competitiveness.
A
s Tunisia advances its focus on semiconductors, AI and data infrastructure, the parallel development of a resilient component and technology supply ecosystem becomes increasingly important. Deeper participation in advanced sectors requires structured access to global semiconductor manufacturers, engineering support and traceable supply channels that align with international standards. In this context, regional partners such as McKinsey Electronics, active across North Africa and the broader MEA region, contribute by connecting local industrial players with established global component portfolios, supporting value-chain integration as Tunisia scales its ambitions in high-value, knowledge-driven industries.