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September 2025 Updates for Design Engineers


Read the latest semiconductor and electronics news and updates. 

 

In this edition:



McKinsey Electronics to Host the First-of-its-kind Semicon Summit in Dubai: Where Policy Meets Silicon



On 9–10 December 2025, the inaugural Semicon Summit in Dubai will take place at Sofitel The Obelisk, hosted by McKinsey Electronics. This first-of-its-kind gathering will unite global semiconductor leaders, government authorities, and regional industry players to shape the future of electronics in the Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye.


Why Dubai, Why Now

Semiconductors are the invisible backbone of today’s economy, powering AI, electric mobility, defense systems, and sustainable energy. For the UAE, they are not only an industrial opportunity but a matter of sovereignty and resilience.

With the launch of Vision 2031 and rising global demand, Dubai is the natural platform to convene manufacturers, policymakers, and investors around one urgent question: How do we build a robust semiconductor ecosystem for this region?


Who’s Joining

More than 20 global manufacturers are confirmed, including:

  • ams Osram – sensors & lighting systems

  • Amphenol – interconnect solutions

  • Energizer – advanced battery systems

  • Epson – timing devices & sensing systems

  • Renesas – microcontrollers & system integration

  • STMicroelectronics – embedded processing & power devices

  • Swissbit – secure storage & memory solutions

  • Würth Elektronik – passive components & EMC support


These companies will be represented not just by sales teams, but by roadmap owners, field application engineers, and product specialists—ensuring technical-first conversations.


What to Expect

  • Strategic Insights: Government sessions on sovereignty, resilience, and industrial diversification.

  • Technology Roadmaps: Early looks at AI hardware, EV systems, industrial IoT, defense-grade electronics, and sustainable energy solutions.

  • Hands-On Engagement: Product demos, case studies, and structured one-on-one meetings with global manufacturers.

  • Networking with Purpose: Engineers, sourcing leaders, investors, and policymakers brought into direct, solution-focused dialogue.


Why Attend

Whether you’re an engineer, sourcing lead, or policy strategist, the Semicon Summit 2025 in Dubai is designed to give you:

  • Clarity – validate designs and sourcing strategies directly with manufacturers.

  • Speed – reduce project risk by aligning early with technology roadmaps.

  • Access – connect with government and sovereign entities driving industrial policy.



Be Part of It

Date: 9–10 December 2025 | Venue: Sofitel The Obelisk, Dubai

Free registration is now open.


Join the people and companies shaping the future of semiconductors in the region.




Nvidia and Abu Dhabi Institute Launch AI and Robotics Lab in the UAE



Abu Dhabi’s Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and Nvidia have announced the launch of a joint AI and robotics research laboratory in Abu Dhabi, establishing the first Nvidia AI Technology Centre in the Middle East. The partnership, revealed on 22 September 2025, positions the UAE as a regional hub for advanced robotics and large-scale artificial intelligence development.

The lab will focus on creating next-generation AI models and robotics platforms, including humanoid systems, robotic arms, and four-legged robots capable of operating in real-world environments. Research will span perception, motion and real-time control, moving beyond simulation into deployable robotics solutions.

At the core of the project is Nvidia’s cutting-edge computing hardware, designed to support the training and deployment of large AI models. These platforms enable both high-throughput training and low-latency onboard inference, key requirements for autonomous systems that must learn from vast datasets while reacting instantly in the field. TII has already used Nvidia systems to build large-scale AI models, making this collaboration a natural extension of earlier work.

For the UAE, the initiative reflects a broader national strategy to advance artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. TII operates under Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council, and the new lab reinforces the country’s goal of building world-class technology research capacity that can translate into commercial and industrial applications.

The announcement also comes amid wider global conversations about access to advanced chips and compute infrastructure. Across the Gulf, large technology deals have drawn regulatory scrutiny from U.S. authorities; while not directed at this lab, these debates form part of the broader backdrop in which such collaborations take place.

Staffing and research programs are already scaling up. Teams will work across robotics hardware, control systems, and large-model AI, with potential applications in areas such as logistics, infrastructure inspection, and healthcare. By combining Nvidia’s software ecosystems and compute platforms with TII’s applied-research expertise, the lab aims to accelerate the journey from prototypes to real-world deployment.

For regional stakeholders, the implications are significant. Local researchers gain direct access to advanced AI and robotics platforms, while regional companies and integrators can test emerging solutions in a closer-to-market environment. The lab also signals potential opportunities for component suppliers, sensor developers, and embedded-compute vendors who support embodied AI systems.

This collaboration also ties into the wider electronics ecosystem in the UAE. As a regional distributor of semiconductors and electronic components, McKinsey Electronics recognizes that breakthroughs in AI and robotics depend on advanced hardware, from high-performance processors to sensors and embedded systems. Developments like the TII–Nvidia lab highlight how local research initiatives are shaping demand for cutting-edge technologies across the industry.

In short, the Nvidia-TII lab is more than a research initiative. It is a strategic step toward making Abu Dhabi a leader in robotics and AI, while creating a platform for regional innovation, talent development, and technology commercialization.



Saudi AI Group Humain Breaks Ground on Data Centers, Plans Early-2026 Start with US Chips



Humain, the new Saudi government-backed artificial intelligence company, has started building its first commercial data centers and expects to bring them online in early 2026 using advanced semiconductors sourced from U.S. suppliers. The initial sites are reportedly located in Riyadh and Dammam and are being configured to support large-scale AI workloads from day one.


According to reporting based on interviews with Humain executives and industry sources, each site will initially target roughly 100 megawatts of IT load, indicating a design for dense, GPU-heavy clusters rather than traditional general-purpose cloud halls. That level of power provisioning signals a focus on training and inference workloads for large language models and other generative AI applications. These remarks align with prior announcements that positioned Humain as a national anchor for Saudi Arabia’s AI infrastructure ambitions.


Humain is procuring chips from major U.S. vendors to populate those racks. Industry reporting says Nvidia will supply a first tranche of high-end Blackwell-series accelerators, with an initial shipment figure widely reported in coverage, and that AMD has agreed to a multibillion-dollar collaboration to help scale AI compute capacity. Public statements from the chipmakers have been limited, but multiple outlets have documented the commercial arrangements and the strategic intent behind them.


The project matters for three linked reasons. First, placing sizeable GPU clusters inside Saudi Arabia reduces latency for domestic users and enables local control over sensitive data. Second, it underlines a continuing commercial flow of advanced semiconductors from U.S. suppliers to the Gulf, a trend reshaping regional supply chains for hardware and services. Third, the involvement of sovereign capital and large-scale procurement commitments accelerates global demand for constrained AI accelerators and forces logistics, power planning, and regulatory issues to the foreground.


There are practical and political variables that could affect timelines. Moving tens of thousands of high-end GPUs into new facilities requires coordinated customs approvals, power hookup and cooling readiness, and careful on-site integration. Separately, transfers of cutting-edge AI chips remain sensitive in some export-control discussions, and public reporting suggests governments and vendors are navigating those questions as projects proceed. Observers will be watching delivery schedules, published capacity figures and any confirmations from vendors for signs that the early-2026 target is achievable.


For readers tracking regional AI infrastructure, Humain’s rollout is a concrete example of how national strategy, sovereign funding and commercial partnerships are combining to create new compute hubs outside traditional hyperscaler territories. If Humain meets its timetable and capacity targets, the Saudi sites could become prominent nodes in the Middle East’s emerging AI ecosystem and a test case for large-scale public private AI infrastructure projects.



Turkiye to Launch National Chip Production as US-China Tech Was Intensifies



Türkiye is preparing to enter domestic chip manufacturing as part of its broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign technology and strengthen its position in a rapidly changing semiconductor landscape. Officials and industry leaders confirmed that the country’s first domestically designed microcontroller prototypes are expected by the end of 2025, with serial production scheduled to begin in 2026.


The project is being led by Yongatek Microelectronics, a Turkish chip design firm that has been active for more than a decade. According to General Manager Ali Baran, the initial chips will be produced on established 40-nanometer nodes suitable for consumer electronics, with plans to later advance toward 28-nanometer and 22-nanometer processes for automotive and higher-performance applications.


A key partner in the initiative is Beko, one of Türkiye’s largest appliance manufacturers. Baran said Beko alone could require about 30 million microcontrollers annually, and with potential expansion into defense, robotics, and IoT, total demand could rise to 40-50 million units. This built-in market demand gives the project a clear commercial pathway from the outset.


Türkiye’s decision to move forward with domestic chip production comes against the backdrop of intensifying U.S.-China competition over semiconductors and growing global concerns about supply chain vulnerability. Baran compared the strategic importance of chips to oil, highlighting how countries with domestic design and manufacturing capacity will hold greater economic and geopolitical leverage.


The government is also backing the initiative with significant incentives. Reports indicate a support package of roughly $5 billion has been allocated to attract investment in semiconductor technology and infrastructure. Officials see this as an opportunity to secure long-term independence in a sector that underpins defense, industrial, and consumer technologies.


Industry observers note that building up reliable semiconductor manufacturing is a complex process that may take several years, requiring specialized talent, tooling, and stable supply lines. Prototyping microcontrollers is viewed as a pragmatic starting point, with Yongatek also signaling longer-term ambitions in advanced chips, including processors for AI-enabled devices and field-programmable gate arrays for defense applications.


If successful, Türkiye will join a growing list of nations working to localize parts of the semiconductor value chain. The move is expected to support domestic industries such as appliances and automotive while offering resilience against export restrictions or geopolitical shocks. While challenges remain in scaling from prototypes to mass production, the project represents a significant step toward technological sovereignty and positions Türkiye as an emerging player in the semiconductor space.



Africa's Semiconductor Devices Market to Reach ~$2.7B by 2035



A new IndexBox market analysis released on September 22, 2025 forecasts that Africa’s market for semiconductor devices will expand significantly over the next decade, growing in volume from about 626 million units in 2024 (valued at nearly US$1.8 billion) to roughly 818 million units, worth US$2.7 billion by 2035.

The report highlights that between 2013 and 2024, the market’s shipment volume rose at an average annual rate of about 5.9%, while domestic production expanded at a similar pace of ~6.1% CAGR.  In 2024, production in Africa is estimated at about 625 million units, nearly matching consumption.

In terms of country-level performance, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda are leading both consumption and production, together accounting for approximately 28% of Africa’s total in 2024. Among them, Uganda stands out: it posted the fastest growth in both consumption value (at a compound average growth rate of ~13.8%) and per capita consumption.

Imports have generally been shrinking since around 2013, though 2024 saw a small uptick compared to the previous years. Exports, meanwhile, are dominated by Morocco, which holds the largest share among exporting countries with growth in export volumes and value.

Price trends show that in 2024 the average import price for semiconductor devices stood at about US$3.70 per unit, down from previous levels, while the average export price was approximately US$2.90 per unit, both reflecting shifts in trade dynamics.

The projected growth rates (2024-2035) are moderate: the report estimates a +2.5% CAGR for unit volume growth and +3.5% CAGR for value, reflecting increasing demand but also some deceleration relative to past years.

As Africa's semiconductor market expands, McKinsey Electronics is well-positioned to support the continent's technological growth by providing reliable access to electronic components and fostering innovation through its engineering expertise.



Renesas Tapes Out 3nm Chips Designed in India; Sample Chips with Partners


Renesas Electronics has achieved a significant milestone by designing and sampling 3-nanometer (nm) automotive chips developed at its Indian facilities in Noida and Bengaluru. These chips are among the smallest, fastest, and most advanced globally, marking India's entry into the realm of cutting-edge semiconductor design.


The design and development of these chips were carried out by Renesas' teams in India, underscoring the country's growing capabilities in semiconductor technology. Malini Narayanamoorthi, India Country Manager and Vice President of Renesas, confirmed that the company is the first in India to design 3-nm automotive chips.


Currently, sample chips are being provided to partners for testing. While a commercial launch date has not been committed yet, this development signifies a major step forward in India's semiconductor industry.


This achievement aligns with India's broader push to enhance its semiconductor capabilities. Earlier this year, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated Renesas' 3-nm chip design centers in Noida and Bengaluru, marking the country's first design centers to work on cutting-edge 3-nm chip design.


Renesas' initiative also includes a partnership with CG Power, a part of the Murugappa Group, to establish a semiconductor assembly and test facility in Sanand, Gujarat. This facility is expected to commence operations by mid-2026, further strengthening India's position in the global semiconductor supply chain.


Renesas' successful tapeout and sampling of 3-nm automotive chips designed in India not only highlights the country's advancing semiconductor capabilities but also positions it as a key player in the global automotive electronics market.

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