Africa unveils landmark quantum innovation challenge

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The Africa Quantum Consortium (AQC ) has launched Hack the Horizon, the first Pan African Quantum Challenge, marking a major step toward building a homegrown quantum technology ecosystem across the continent.

Registration for the challenge opened on November 19, bringing together Africa’s top young innovators and researchers, along with members of the global diaspora, to co-create solutions driven by quantum science and artificial intelligence.

AQC describes the initiative as more than a competition. It is a strategic platform designed to unite university researchers, software developers, industry leaders and problem solvers to shape Africa’s position in the fast-growing global quantum industry.

Temitope Adeniyi, the programme lead at AQC, said the hackathon aims to spark continental collaboration.

“It is more than a hackathon. It is a challenge for Africans to work together, not as fragmented countries. It is a stepping stone for us to take our place in the quantum industry and to use quantum and AI to solve Africa’s unique challenges.”

Winners will be honoured at the closing ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology IYQ 2025 in Ghana in February next year.

Professor Ahmed Younes, a Quantum Computing expert from Alexandria University, said Africa is already laying the foundations for a quantum revolution.

“By bringing our brightest minds together at events like Hack the Horizon, the AQC is cultivating a forest of innovation that will shape Africa’s tomorrow.”

Quantum technology is one of the world’s fastest-growing fields, with breakthroughs announced almost weekly by global technology companies and startups. Analysts predict that quantum advantage, when quantum computers outperform classical machines, could be achieved by 2030.

This year, more than sh46 trillion has been injected into the quantum sector globally, pushing total investment above sh143 trillion. However, most of this funding is concentrated in China, the United States and the European Union. Africa and the wider Global South have remained largely underfunded.

As part of the International Year of Quantum, UNESCO aims to spotlight opportunities for greater investment in emerging markets, including Africa.

AQC says Hack the Horizon is opening doors for partnerships with organisations interested in co-building Africa’s quantum capacity. Partnership opportunities include co-investment, technical expertise and the co-development of industry-focused challenges.

Farai Mazhandu, the Executive Director at AQC, said the initiative invites companies to take an active role in building Africa’s quantum capability.

“This is an invitation to move beyond conversation and into cocreation. It is a living laboratory for innovation. Partners are not just meeting talent. They are forging strategic alliances with Africa’s top innovators.”

Jannes Stubbemann, the CEO of Aqora, the global platform hosting the challenge, said quantum innovation will grow through open and distributed collaboration.

“Hack the Horizon connects talent across Africa to solve region-specific challenges and to build durable and independent capability.”

Benefits for sponsors include access to Africa’s growing pool of quantum-ready professionals and a large youth population eager to gain new technology skills. AQC is calling for both financial and in-kind support, including mentorship and real-world problems for participants to explore.