June 2025 Updates for Design Engineers
Read the latest semiconductor and electronics news and updates.Â
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In this edition:
A Regional Look at Next-Gen Device Programming
On May 28, 2025, McKinsey Electronics, in collaboration with BPM Microsystems, hosted a highly anticipated webinar spotlighting the future of universal device programming. Attended by engineers, production leaders and OEM teams from over 10 countries, including representatives from Lear, Marquardt and AsteelFlash, the session tackled the technical and operational demands of secure, scalable electronics manufacturing across MENA, Türkiye and Africa.
The agenda combined deep technical insight with real-world applications, offering a comprehensive look at the tools and strategies enabling modern programming environments.
Key Highlights from the Webinar:
Next-Generation Programming Technology
Attendees were introduced to BPM’s 10th Generation platform, featuring socket-level diagnostics and advanced secure provisioning, critical for ensuring traceability and protecting embedded IP.
Automated System Demonstration
A live walkthrough of both tray-to-tray and reel-to-reel automated programming systems demonstrated how automation can streamline device handling while maintaining high throughput and consistency.
ROI and Cost Comparison
A side-by-side analysis of offline vs. onboard programming approaches illustrated the long-term savings, speed advantages and quality benefits of transitioning to universal programming systems.
Tailored Q&A Discussion
The session concluded with an open Q&A led by industry experts, focused on implementation strategies specifically relevant to manufacturers operating within the region’s evolving industrial landscape.
As manufacturing capacity grows throughout MENA, Türkiye and Africa, the need for secure, high-volume device programming has become a central concern for both R&D and production teams. This webinar provided actionable insights into how companies can move from manual or legacy processes toward highly scalable, traceable and automated solutions, without compromising IP security or production efficiency.
The full webinar is now available to watch on our YouTube channel.
Catch up on the live demonstrations, ROI comparisons and expert guidance that are helping shape the future of electronics production across emerging markets.
Oman Enters the Semiconductor Arena
On June 11, 2025, Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications & IT (MTCIT) issued a global consultancy tender to develop a national semiconductor ecosystem and establish a Centre of Excellence for chips and advanced electronics.
This move marks Oman’s first coordinated step toward building domestic capabilities in chip design, testing and future fabrication infrastructure. The selected consultancy will design a full value chain roadmap, propose infrastructure requirements and create a national skills development and R&D strategy aligned with global semiconductor trends.
Why It Matters
Supports Oman’s Vision 2040 digital transformation targets
Positions the Sultanate in the high-value chip and IP economy
Responds to global demand for diversified, secure semiconductor supply chains
What's Next
The tender closes July 22. MTCIT is targeting firms with experience delivering multi-million-dollar semiconductor strategy programs. The Centre of Excellence is expected to serve as both a research hub and a gateway for foreign tech partnerships and investment.
With this step, Oman signals its intent to join the MENA region’s growing semiconductor momentum, alongside the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. McKinsey Electronics will be watching how this initiative reshapes regional demand for advanced components, chip IP and supply chain support.
GlobalFoundries Commits to $16B to U.S. Chip Expansion
GlobalFoundries, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala, has unveiled a $16 billion investment to expand its semiconductor manufacturing and packaging capabilities in the United States. The investment will bolster facilities in Saratoga County, New York and Essex Junction, Vermont, cementing the foundry’s role in advanced chip production for AI and defense.
This move deepens GlobalFoundries’ alignment with U.S. industrial policy and strategic reshoring goals. With rising demand for secure and domestically produced chips, the expansion is being hailed as a critical step toward supply chain resilience. No additional federal aid was granted for the latest $3 billion R&D segment, highlighting the company’s confidence in the long-term return on innovation.
Key partners in this initiative include Apple, AMD, SpaceX, Qualcomm, NXP and GM. The new capacity will target high-growth areas such as AI accelerators, aerospace-grade semiconductors and automotive-grade silicon, domains where packaging complexity and security standards are rapidly evolving.
Why It Matters
Strengthens U.S. semiconductor self-sufficiency amid global tensions
Taps into AI, defense and mobility applications with strategic tech partners
Reinforces the growing role of UAE capital in shaping global chip infrastructure
GlobalFoundries CEO emphasized AI as the primary growth vector behind this investment. With support from U.S. lawmakers, the announcement is also seen as a signal to Washington that private and sovereign-backed capital is prepared to lead where federal programs may not scale fast enough.
For McKinsey Electronics and the broader MENA electronics sector, this news signals a big shift: sovereign investment from the region is no longer passive, it is directly shaping global supply chains, manufacturing policy and next-generation chip ecosystems.
UAE Advances AI Infrastructure with Nvidia-G42 Partnership
Nvidia has partnered with G42, the UAE-based technology group, to deploy next-generation AI data centers across the Emirates, powered by Nvidia’s Blackwell architecture. The facilities will support clusters up to 250 megawatts, positioning the UAE at the forefront of AI infrastructure in the Middle East.
This collaboration significantly upgrades the country’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology. By deploying Blackwell chips, Nvidia’s most powerful AI processors to date, the UAE is not just adopting advanced compute but actively shaping the regional balance of AI capability.
The first phase will be led by Khazna, G42’s data center subsidiary, with plans to roll out across multiple strategic locations. The scale and efficiency of these clusters are designed for high-throughput deep learning, large language model training and sovereign compute.
Why It Matters
Establishes the UAE as a serious global contender in AI infrastructure
Accelerates in-region development of AI models across defense, healthcare and enterprise
Highlights increasing semiconductor accessibility beyond traditional hubs
This move also reflects a broader strategy by the UAE to localize AI capability and reduce dependency on overseas compute ecosystems. With the Blackwell rollout, the Emirates join a select few nations operating infrastructure at this tier.
Bottom line
This Nvidia–G42 initiative is more than a tech upgrade, it’s a geopolitical signal. The UAE is investing in infrastructure that not only supports domestic AI innovation but enhances its global technology footprint. For semiconductor stakeholders, it underscores the region’s rising influence in shaping next-generation compute.