South Africa caught in the crossfire of global chip wars.

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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

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