How Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Oman Are Building the Middle East’s Chip Future

In the past few years, the semiconductor industry has been thrust into the spotlight as geopolitical tensions, global supply chain disruptions, and the race for technological dominance have revealed just how crucial—and vulnerable—the semiconductor supply chain really is. Today, governments around the world see semiconductors not just as a business opportunity but as a matter of economic independence and national security.

For countries in the Middle East, this wake-up call has sparked something bigger. A new chapter is unfolding in which building local chip ecosystems isn’t just a policy goal but a bet on the future.

In Saudi Arabia and Oman, building a local semiconductor industry is part of a bigger plan to reduce their economies’ dependence on oil revenues and create high-tech industries that can drive future growth. These countries are thinking long-term, investing in talent, infrastructure, and partnerships to develop homegrown capabilities in chip design and manufacturing.

Egypt, for its part, is not starting from scratch. The country has a long history in microelectronics and semiconductor design, with a strong base of engineers, research centers, and startups already active in the space. Egypt is now looking to scale up by attracting investment, expanding its ecosystem, and cementing its position as a regional design hub.