The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) in partnership with the African Union Development Agency - New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) in South Africa will host the inaugural Africa Semiconductor Investors Forum from 20–22 April 2026, bringing together a cohort of leaders from government, industry, finance, and academia. The forum is designed to explore how Africa can strategically position itself as a credible and investable player within the increasingly competitive global semiconductor value chain.

Under the theme “From the Ground Up: Africa’s Minerals-to-Microchips Moment,” the event will serve as a high-level platform for dialogue, partnership building, and investment mobilization. By focusing on the world’s most strategic industries, the forum will highlight Africa’s potential to transcend raw mineral extraction and ascend into higher value segments of the ecosystem, including design, fabrication, packaging, and testing.

“This Forum comes at a defining moment for the continent,” said Dr Stephen Mutwiwa, Executive Director of the AAS. “For too long, Africa has participated in global value chains primarily as a source of raw materials. This initiative signals a new ambition. One where Africa leverages science, innovation, and investment to claim its place in the industries of the future. At the AAS, we view this as a vital commitment to ensuring that technology drives sustainable development and transforms lives across the continent.”

The convening reflects the scale of collaboration required to unlock Africa’s semiconductor opportunity. As global supply chains shift and demand for industrial technologies rises, the event provides a timely space to examine Africa’s comparative advantages, such as its critical mineral reserves, its expanding STEM talent base, and its emerging innovation hubs. Discussions will focus on practical pathways for growth, ranging from policy alignment and blended finance to the research and development required for long-term sector stability.

Dr Nkem Khumbah, Director of STI Policy, Governance & Partnerships at the AAS, noted that the forum is specifically designed to move the continent from conversation to coordination. He emphasized that the value of the gathering lies in its ability to connect strategy with implementation, creating a space where investors and researchers can align around shared priorities and define the investment pathways necessary to sustain a robust semiconductor ecosystem.

For the African Academy of Sciences, the Forum reinforces a broader mission to amplify Africa’s voice in shaping future industries. By connecting scientific leadership with industrial ambition, the AAS aims to deliver tangible developmental impact that secures the continent’s role in the global digital economy.