South Africa caught in the crossfire of global chip wars.

Loading player...
GUEST - Jan Vermeulen, Editor at MyBroadband

Taiwan has slapped export restrictions on semiconductors bound for South Africa a move that threatens industries from car manufacturing to cloud computing. The decision follows Pretoria’s downgrading of Taiwan’s diplomatic office, a gesture widely seen as bowing to Beijing. With Taiwan controlling up to 90% of the world’s most advanced chips, the ripple effects could be severe, from pricier electronics to delays in digital transformation projects.

So what triggered this high-stakes standoff, which sectors stand to lose the most, and could South Africa end up more dependent on China’s less advanced chipmakers?
23 Sep 2025 English South Africa Technology · Business

Other recent episodes

Backing South Africa's Next Tech Champions

Venture capital firm Mamor Capital Ventures has secured a R300 million first close for its inaugural fund, targeting high-growth businesses using technology to expand access and economic participation. Gugu Mfuphi speaks to founder and CEO Mamokete Ramathe about venture capital, scaling South African startups, funding gaps and identifying the country's…
29 Sep 16 min

Tech Skills Transforming SA Earnings

HyperionDev’s latest Graduate Outcomes Report shows South African graduates earning an average of R45,000 per month — double the typical junior software engineer salary. Dr. Anjali Ramburn explains why practical, workplace‑ready digital skills are reshaping employability, why women now make up 36.38% of graduates, and how tech roles are expanding…
22 Sep 10 min

TECH & INNO

South Africa may not be home to Silicon Valley, but we sure have a thriving start up and tech market. In this feature we chat Tech startups, innovators and app developers on their latest consumer-focussed innovations.
15 Sep 5 min

AI vs Human Creativity

AI is reshaping the creative industry — but not in the simplistic “robots replacing creatives” narrative. Lucky Hustle CEO Darren Morris joins Kaya Biz to unpack how AI is used in ideation, copy, design and strategy, where it fails, and why creatives who use AI will replace those who don’t…
8 Sep 18 min

Inside the AI Graveyard: Why Good Ideas Die in Corporate Boardrooms

Otinga CEO Francois van der Merwe exposes “innovation theatre” — the corporate habit of running AI pilots, prototypes and presentations that never reach customers or deliver value. We unpack why ideas die in committees, how to spot fake innovation early, and how leaders can turn AI concepts into measurable business…
1 Sep 15 min