In January 2026, Qualcomm launched its “Make in Africa” initiative, a groundbreaking program aimed at nurturing early-stage startups across the continent. This initiative is particularly noteworthy because it offers equity-free mentorship, allowing entrepreneurs to retain full ownership of their businesses while gaining invaluable access to Qualcomm’s expertise in advanced technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT. The program is designed to support ten selected startups through a comprehensive mentorship cycle, providing them with technical training, business coaching, and guidance on intellectual property protection.

Qualcomm’s recent announcement of a new artificial intelligence research and development center in Vietnam marks a pivotal moment in the tech landscape. This center aims to push the boundaries of generative and agentic AI solutions, showcasing Qualcomm’s commitment to advancing AI technologies globally. By tapping into Vietnam’s rich talent pool and burgeoning reputation as a tech innovation hub, Qualcomm is positioning itself to lead in the rapidly evolving AI sector.

Qualcomm’s recent establishment of an artificial intelligence research and development center in Vietnam marks a significant milestone in the global tech landscape. This center will focus on cutting-edge generative AI and AI agent solutions, aiming to revolutionize sectors such as smartphones, PCs, extended reality (XR), automotive, and the Internet of Things (IoT). By investing in Vietnam, Qualcomm is not only expanding its footprint in Asia but also tapping into the region’s burgeoning tech talent pool.