By George Leopold

A group of experts convened recently to consider possible solutions to the global supply chain mess. Among the most compelling insights elicited by the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission — primarily known for its annual report detailing Beijing’s growing military prowess — were those focused on the fraught semiconductor supply chain.

By Junko Yoshida

I made it to my mother’s funeral, in Chigasaki, Japan, flying overnight from Paris, with a half-hour to spare.

By Bolaji Ojo

Semiconductor foundries and chipmakers like Intel, Samsung, TSMC and TI have in the last year promised to spend as much as $400 billion on new fabrication facilities in scattered locations around the globe over the next decade, potentially jacking up capital expenditure in the industry to historic heights.

By Junko Yoshida

This is a story in development. As I write it, I still don’t know how it will turn out. Uncertainty is the name of the game.

It started last weekend, with my mother’s death. Kiyoko Yoshida survived many trials in her life — including, when she was a teenager, the A-bombing of Hiroshima. She endured the death of my big sister, Mariko, and stoically took over the job of raising Mariko’s two sons, though she was over 60 at the time. She survived the passing of my father, and ultimately, she even outlasted Covid-19. Finally, she just quietly withered away at the age of 93.

Because of pandemic protocols imposed by the Japanese government, the last time I saw my mother was November 2019.

By George Leopold

As the pandemic took hold two years ago, among the unforeseen consequences were crippling supply chain disruptions. We’ve since figured out the toilet paper supply-demand equation, but remain a long way from fixing the strategic global semiconductor manufacturing pipeline.

What’s at stake?
Across the continent, a growing entrepreneurial community stands ready to ensure that Africa doesn’t miss out on the transformational benefits of the digital economy. It’s incumbent on government, business, and educational institutions to support their efforts.

By Fred Ohwahwa

The Digital Age has arrived in Africa, as evidenced by rising mobile penetration and usage figures for widely adopted social networking and communications applications, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp. From small businesses to large, the young to the elderly, rural areas to the urban centers, digitization is gradually becoming a way of life on the continent.

By Junko Yoshida

It often takes a tragedy for people to see the flip side of a promising and lucrative new technology. This applies to the pioneer who operates a highly autonomous vehicle as test driver or to an average Joe or Jane who rides as a passenger in a robotaxi.