Semiconductor Technologies Limited’s has received a significant boost as the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) commits $1.3 million to support the company’s expansion of its legacy semiconductor chip fabrication at a commercial scale.
This development marks a pivotal moment in the burgeoning semiconductor partnership between the United States and Kenya, aimed at establishing secure and resilient supply chains for both countries.
The funding is part of a broader initiative to build resilient semiconductor supply chains, under the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund created by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.
The U.S. State Department, working closely with Congress, plans to commit an additional $1 million in foreign assistance to further promote resilient semiconductor supply chains, build secure ICT ecosystems, and complement U.S. domestic manufacturing capacity.
This initiative will make Kenya the first African country to benefit from the CHIPS and Science Act.
“The partnership between the U.S. and Kenya is designed to expand and diversify Kenya’s emerging semiconductor industry, particularly in the assembly, testing, and packaging sectors. Efforts will also focus on developing Kenya’s technical workforce and strengthening its regulatory environment to attract more private investment and enhance its linkages to the U.S. semiconductor supply chain.”
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to collaborate with Micron and GlobalFoundries to launch new funding opportunities aimed at supporting a diverse semiconductor workforce.
These investments will target Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to increase equitable access to STEM education in both the U.S. and Kenya.
Additionally, NSF will offer workshops, planning grants, and research and education supplements to strengthen connections between U.S. and Kenyan universities.
Micron’s MSI Semiconductor Network, comprising 16 leading universities in the United States, will collaborate with selected Kenyan universities to develop the next generation of the semiconductor workforce from underrepresented communities.
This initiative, supported by NSF, GlobalFoundries, and Micron, aims to enhance equitable education, student programming, and infrastructure.
Micron also announced a partnership with the International Rescue Committee and Talent Beyond Boundaries through the Welcome Corps at Work program.
“This partnership seeks to recruit individuals from refugee and immigrant communities across East Africa, including Kenya, to fill semiconductor technician and engineer roles.”
This strong and growing innovation partnership between the United States and Kenya underscores a shared commitment to investing in secure and resilient technology supply chains, building a skilled workforce, promoting the digital economy, and enhancing cybersecurity.
“Kenya’s “Silicon Savannah,” a $1 billion technology hub with over 200 startups, exemplifies the country’s potential as an innovation engine.”
The U.S. and Kenya are committed to leveraging this partnership to drive innovative solutions to global challenges, ensuring technology development and deployment advance transparency, accountability, and human rights.