Mexico Bets on Semiconductors, AI, and Aerospace

Mexico is deploying a strategic industrial roadmap to integrate the nation into global semiconductor, aerospace, and AI value chains. Through Plan México 2025-2030, the federal government intends to transition from assembly-based manufacturing to high-value design and development through 2030. The success of these industrial transitions depends on the availability of critical infrastructure and specialized human capital. 

“To attract capital, Mexico needs stability in energy infrastructure, as this is a sector that consumes large amounts of electricity and water,” says Francisco González, Executive President, National Auto Parts Industry (INA).

Mexico is at a decisive stage for its technological development. The strategy presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Plan México 2025-2030 positions technology as a strategic axis for national security and economic growth, rather than a secondary industrial component. This shift aims to strengthen scientific sovereignty and reduce the dependence on imported technological inputs.

The global landscape for semiconductors has become increasingly competitive since 2021. The United States, China, South Korea, India, Japan, Taiwan, and the European Union have announced incentives exceeding US$316 billion to secure supply chains. Within this framework, Mexico seeks to elevate its role. According to industry data, Mexico exports about US$4.9 billion in semiconductors annually and sustains 10,000 specialized jobs. However, the country maintains a trade deficit in this sector with the United States, which serves as a primary driver for the current federal strategy.

Historically, Mexico has been focused on the testing, packing, and distribution of semiconductors. Plan México intends to move the national industry forward toward design and validation. While fabrication plants require investments exceeding US$10 billion per facility, the remaining phases concentrate about 70% of the total value-add and require lower capital expenditures, ranging between US$300 million and US$1 billion. The government has set a target to double the local supply of semiconductors and attract US$10 billion in investment by 2030.

Regional Opportunities and Industrial Specialization

Mexico maintains a medium technological level in the chip industry, according to Expansión. González says that the country possesses the capacity to participate in validation, packaging, and testing. To maximize competitive advantages, the industry must focus on intermediate nodes, specifically those between 17nm and 29nm, which are essential for the automotive and appliance sectors, as this segment is less saturated than the market for leading-edge chips, he adds.

Projections suggest that by 2040, about 35% of the value of an automobile will consist of hardware and software linked to semiconductors, reports Expansion. States such as Sonora, Jalisco, and Baja California could be key hubs for the industry due to their existing infrastructure and proximity to the United States. Furthermore, the federal administration emphasizes the necessity of alliances with the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan to access expertise in optics, lithography, and precision machinery.

The Expansion of AI and the New Space Economy

In the field of AI, Mexico aims to transition from a data provider to a developer of high-value digital products. This requires significant investment in infrastructure and processing power. CloudHQ, a data center corporation, announced a US$4.8 billion investment in late September. 2025 to build six facilities in Queretaro.

Minister of Economy Marcelo Ebrard says these centers represent the digital highway for next-generation applications. The Ministry of Economy reports that foreign direct investment in computing and data processing services reached US$183.8 million between April and June 2025. The Association of Mexican Data Centers (MEXDC) estimates that investment in data center infrastructure will exceed US$18 billion between 2025 and 2030. There are 55 operating centers and 22 under construction in Mexico.

To support these services, the government announced the development of Coatlicue, a supercomputer representing an investment of MX$6 billion (US$341.2 million). José Antonio Merino, Head, Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency, says the system will feature 15,000 graphics processing units (GPUs) to facilitate national data processing and AI development.

Plan México also addresses the aerospace and satellite sector, which the World Economic Forum values at US$1.8 trillion by 2035. This "New Space Economy" is characterized by the participation of private corporations such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic to reduce costs and accelerate innovation.

Mexico has 19 registered satellites in orbit. While the country is a significant manufacturer for the global aerospace chain, producing components such as Raptor engine combustion chambers for SpaceX in Monterrey and Chihuahua, it has not yet transitioned to proprietary innovation. 

The Human Capital Challenge

The primary constraint for these technological ambitions is the shortage of specialized talent. Adriana Rivera, Executive Director, MEXDC, says that data centers require specialized profiles that are currently scarce in the labor market. The government has proposed the creation of a Public Center for AI to graduate 25,000 students annually in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analysis. This initiative involves partnerships with corporations including Salesforce, AWS, Google, Microsoft, and IBM.

Teresa Verthein, Government Relations Lead, Salesforce Mexico, says the country possesses strategic advantages such as proximity to the United States and a large internal market. However, significant gaps persist. The latest reports indicate that only 2% of the economically active population works in the IT sector. 

José Luis Guasco, Lead Consulting Partner, GDS Mexico, estimates the digital maturity of the country at 41.71%, while the ideal level for these industries is 70.24%. Furthermore, ManpowerGroup reports that the shortage of specialized talent reached 70% in 2025, impacting advanced manufacturing and logistics.

Cecilia Hermida, Country Manager, Infor Mexico, says that many Mexican companies continue to use manual processes that hinder productivity and discourage the development of specialized profiles. “Modernizing technological platforms is necessary to allow talent to focus on high-value tasks”, says Hermida.