Africa’s nascent quantum expertise neighborhood will convene in Nairobi later this month for what organizers describe because the continent’s first complete summit on quantum computing, a part of broader efforts to make sure African nations take part in shaping an rising technological revolution relatively than merely adopting it.
The Africa Quantum Summit 2025: Kenya Edition takes place on 23-24 October at Strathmore University, bringing collectively researchers, trade representatives, authorities officers, and college students to discover how quantum applied sciences may rework sectors from healthcare to cybersecurity. The hybrid occasion permits each in-person and digital participation.
QuantumKe, a Kenyan quantum computing initiative, organized the summit with the Africa Quantum Consortium (AQC) and Strathmore University. The gathering aligns with the United Nations’ designation of 2025 because the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, which has prompted quantum-focused occasions worldwide.
“This summit represents a pivotal moment for Africa to define its quantum future,” stated Farai Mazhandu, convener of the AQC and founding father of the consortium who has over 15 years of expertise in physics training and quantum advocacy. He emphasised collaboration, capacity-building, and connecting African quantum ecosystems with international networks.
Quantum computing represents a basic shift from classical computing, utilizing quantum mechanical phenomena like superposition and entanglement to course of data in methods typical computer systems can’t. While nonetheless largely in analysis and growth phases globally, the expertise guarantees breakthroughs in drug discovery, supplies science, cryptography, and optimization issues.
For African nations, the query isn’t whether or not quantum expertise will matter, however whether or not the continent will assist form its growth or turn out to be depending on options designed elsewhere. This concern echoes debates round earlier technological waves the place Africa typically adopted overseas applied sciences with out constructing home capability.
The AQC, which formally launched in August 2025, goals to coordinate scattered quantum efforts throughout the continent. Mazhandu has described the group as addressing an issue the place expertise with out supportive infrastructure stays merely potential. The consortium seeks to supply what he calls a “coordination engine” for constructing a resilient quantum ecosystem.
The summit’s agenda consists of keynote addresses from quantum scientists and expertise pioneers, panel discussions on quantum coverage and ethics, technical workshops for talent growth, and pitch classes for African quantum start-ups. Organizers additionally plan cultural experiences celebrating African innovation, although particulars stay restricted.
Several African international locations have already begun quantum analysis initiatives. South Africa established quantum physics packages at universities together with the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Stellenbosch University. Nigeria has developed quantum analysis capabilities at establishments just like the National Space Research and Development Agency. Egypt hosts quantum optics analysis at Cairo University.
However, these efforts stay fragmented and comparatively small-scale in comparison with quantum investments in international locations just like the United States, China, and European nations which are pouring billions into quantum analysis and growth. The African quantum neighborhood faces challenges together with restricted funding, mind drain as gifted researchers transfer overseas, and gaps in specialised coaching packages.
The summit goals to provide a strategic roadmap figuring out priorities for analysis, funding, and coverage growth. Expected outcomes embody strengthened regional collaborations, enhanced technical capability, and elevated visibility of African contributions to quantum science and expertise—although how concrete deliverables will emerge from a two-day occasion stays to be seen.
Quantum training and workforce growth represents a selected focus. The expertise requires experience spanning quantum mechanics, laptop science, engineering, and arithmetic. Building this workforce from the bottom up whereas competing with rich nations providing better-funded alternatives poses important challenges.
The occasion additionally addresses what organizers name “quantum diplomacy”—how nations place themselves in rising quantum expertise governance frameworks. As quantum computing advances, questions round requirements, safety implications, and worldwide cooperation would require diplomatic engagement. African nations collaborating early in these conversations may affect outcomes extra successfully than ready till frameworks are established.
Quantum entrepreneurship in Africa faces distinctive obstacles. Start-ups want entry to costly quantum {hardware}, specialised expertise, and traders who perceive lengthy growth timelines. While cloud-based quantum computing platforms from corporations like IBM and Google present some entry, constructing indigenous capabilities requires extra substantial infrastructure.
The summit’s hybrid format acknowledges sensible realities: restricted journey budgets, visa challenges, and the need to incorporate members throughout the huge continent. Virtual participation permits broader engagement whereas lowering the carbon footprint related to worldwide conferences.
Strathmore University, which hosts the summit, has positioned itself as a expertise hub in East Africa. The non-public Kenyan establishment operates the @iLabAfrica innovation heart and has developed packages in information science and synthetic intelligence. Hosting the quantum summit aligns with its expertise management ambitions.
Whether the gathering interprets into sustained quantum growth momentum relies upon partly on follow-through after the occasion concludes. Many African expertise initiatives launch with enthusiasm however battle to keep up momentum amid funding constraints and competing priorities. The summit’s success will in the end be measured not by attendance figures however by whether or not it catalyzes concrete tasks, coaching packages, and coverage adjustments.
The broader context consists of questions on growth priorities. Critics generally argue that specializing in cutting-edge applied sciences like quantum computing diverts sources from urgent wants like fundamental infrastructure, healthcare, and training. Proponents counter that constructing capability in rising applied sciences positions nations for future alternatives relatively than perpetually enjoying catch-up.
Africa’s participation within the quantum revolution additionally intersects with geopolitical competitors. Both the United States and China are courting African nations for partnerships throughout numerous expertise domains. Quantum expertise represents one other area the place African nations should navigate competing pursuits whereas pursuing their very own growth objectives.
The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology has generated dozens of occasions globally, from tutorial conferences to public outreach packages. The Africa Quantum Summit provides African voices to those conversations, although whether or not these voices will considerably affect the expertise’s trajectory stays unsure given the sources flowing into quantum growth elsewhere.
For now, the Nairobi gathering represents an essential symbolic step: African scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers claiming house in quantum expertise conversations relatively than ready to be included. Whether substance matches symbolism will turn out to be clear in coming years as members try to implement no matter strategic roadmap emerges from the summit.