Made in Kenya

This episode looks at what “made in Kenya” really means for electronics and hardware. Using examples from Nairobi and Seoul, it explains the difference between kit assembly, circuit board assembly, and chip manufacturing — and why the scarcest parts of a device often determine its price, no matter where it is assembled. The discussion turns to Kenya’s growing manufacturing ambitions, including electric vehicles, smartphones, and local board assembly, then connects them to global shortages in memory and computing power driven by AI demand. The episode argues that the most valuable opportunities for African hardware may lie in boards, firmware, testing, repair, and financing rather than in trying to compete on the most concentrated parts of the supply chain.