Ghana is taking deliberate steps toward establishing itself in the global quantum computing landscape through initiatives including a Center for Quantum Computing and Simulation and hosting major international quantum science events, positioning the country among early African adopters of the transformative technology.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is hosting the African International Conference on Quantum Algorithms for Simulation from Thursday, February 13, through Friday, February 20, gathering leading experts, scientists, researchers and students from across Africa to explore cutting edge quantum algorithms and their applications in simulating complex systems.
The seven day event features an opening ceremony, keynote presentations, roundtable discussions, interactive workshop series with lectures, tutorials and hands on sessions, outreach to senior high schools in Kumasi, and poster sessions designed to delve into various aspects of classical quantum algorithms of complex systems. The conference follows the E-Learning African International School on Quantum Science and Technology (ELAIS-QST 2024) held previously.
Ghana hosted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) closing ceremony for the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology on Monday, February 10, and Tuesday, February 11, in Accra, bringing together global leaders from science, policy and education. The two day public celebration featured guests arriving from all corners of the world following a momentous year of historic worldwide events.
Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu served among keynote speakers and panelists alongside representatives from UNESCO, American Physical Society, Institute of Physics, Imperial College London, Duke University, Portuguese Quantum Institute, African Physical Society and numerous other international organizations. The event included screening of the Quantum 100 video, discussion of UNESCO’s official 2025 International Year of Quantum (IYQ) report, reading of the IYQ 2025 poetry contest winning entry, and a science inspired performance by a Ghanaian youth ensemble.
Programming included panel discussions titled A Century of Quantum Science: Celebrating 100 Years of Discovery, Impact and the Next Frontier for Humanity; Africa and the Future of Quantum Science and Technology: Leadership, Innovation, and the Road Ahead; and Preparing the World for a Quantum Future: Education, Skills and Youth-led Innovation. The event formally launched the Global Quantum Initiative and released UNESCO’s official IYQ 2025 report with both in person and livestream participation available.
The Open Quantum Institute (OQI), a multilateral governance initiative promoting global and inclusive access to quantum computing and development of applications for the benefit of humanity, organized a hackathon in Ghana as part of efforts to broaden access to quantum computers and simulators in underserved geographies. OQI is hosted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) during its pilot phase running from 2024 through 2026.
The hackathon produced quantum powered solutions including designs for graphene oxide membranes to improve desalination of oceanic water for human use and faster traffic optimization techniques using quantum computing. Projects focused on congestion prediction and real time traffic adaptability demonstrated practical applications of quantum technology for addressing developmental challenges.
Long dominated by major scientific powers, quantum technology is creating openings for nations willing to invest early, with Ghana positioning itself among African countries entering the field. The technology holds promise for revolutionary advances in computing power, cryptography, materials science, drug discovery, artificial intelligence and numerous other applications requiring massive computational capacity beyond classical computing capabilities.
However, significant challenges remain regarding whether Ghana has sufficient local technical capacity to support quantum computing initiatives. Building expertise will require substantial investment in specialized training programs, partnerships between universities and international research institutions, and development of educational infrastructure capable of preparing scientists and engineers in quantum physics, quantum information science and related disciplines.
Access to quantum computing hardware represents another constraint, as the technology requires extremely expensive specialized equipment including dilution refrigerators maintaining near absolute zero temperatures, precision control systems and isolation from environmental interference. Most quantum computing applications currently rely on cloud based access to machines operated by major technology companies and research institutions in developed countries.
The African International Conference at KNUST targets students including undergraduates, graduates from bachelor’s programs, national service personnel, master’s students with related courses and potential thesis topics in the area, and PhD candidates in related fields. Professional participants include faculty members, scientists, industrialists and policy makers from governmental organizations.
Conference focus areas include classical algorithms and computation such as machine learning and tensor network representations, quantum algorithms, quantum machine learning, quantum simulation and quantum computing applications. Organizers emphasized exploration of understanding, development and refinement made in both classical and quantum approaches to complex systems.
KNUST Professor Francis Oduro participated as a panelist at the UNESCO IYQ closing ceremony in Accra, representing Ghana’s academic community in discussions about Africa’s quantum future. Other Ghanaian academics including Ni Narku Quaynor of University of Cape Coast also featured among speakers addressing quantum science education and capacity building.
The International Year of Quantum 2025, which opened at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, elevated public understanding of the major role quantum science and technology will play in society through hundreds of grassroots and official events spanning 2025. Emily Edwards, member of the IYQ Steering Committee and Associate Research Professor at Duke University Pratt School of Engineering, stated the entire 2025 year was filled with impactful events happening all over the world.
Edwards expressed gratitude for everyone who made the celebration a success and stated the committee is thrilled to see enthusiasm continue through 2026 with the closing ceremony in Ghana. She noted that a strong foundation has been laid for the years ahead as quantum science transitions from celebration to sustained development.
IYQ 2025 was an international success due to support from sponsors including Microsoft, SC Quantum, QLLIANSE, Quantinuum, D-Wave, American Physical Society, Chinese Optical Society, German Physical Society, Institute of Physics, Optica, SPIE, American Institute of Physics, IEEE, and numerous other industry associations, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations and companies.
Ghana’s quantum initiatives align with broader African efforts to participate in emerging technologies that could reshape economic development, scientific research and technological capabilities across the continent. South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and other African nations have also announced quantum research programs and partnerships with international institutions.
The practical timeline for Ghana developing significant indigenous quantum computing capabilities remains uncertain given the technology’s complexity and resource requirements. Most experts project that even leading quantum research nations will require years or decades to achieve quantum advantage for commercially relevant applications beyond current experimental demonstrations.
