Africa Quantum Institute
Building Africa's quantum capability.
AQI is an institute that helps African researchers, governments and industry gain access to quantum technology, build the skills to use it, and put it to work on problems that matter on the continent.
About AQI
Africa should help shape quantum technology from the start.
Quantum computing and quantum communications will change how financial systems stay secure, how networks carry data and how research gets done. Most of the hardware, research and standards work is happening outside Africa today.
AQI exists to close that gap. We provide a neutral space where African and international researchers, policymakers, companies and funders meet, agree on shared priorities and act on them together.
Our approach draws on science diplomacy: open collaboration, equitable access, and work that serves the public good.
Opening the door to quantum resources
Connecting African institutions with quantum computing platforms, research infrastructure and the people who run them.
Growing talent on the continent
Education, training and research exchange for students, engineers, researchers and public-sector teams.
Solving African problems first
Identifying where quantum and AI can make a real difference, starting with financial services and telecoms.
Bringing decision-makers together
Convening governments, regulators, industry and researchers so that policy keeps pace with the technology.
AQI's longer-term programme will be shaped with partners and set out at our first convening in November 2026.
Where we start
Financial services and telecoms.
These two sectors carry most of Africa's digital economy. Both depend on encryption that future quantum computers are expected to break, which makes them the right place to begin.
Sector
Financial services
Banks, mobile money and cross-border payments rely on public-key encryption. Moving to quantum-safe systems takes years of planning, procurement and skills, and regulators need to set the pace.
Sector
Telecommunications
Mobile networks carry identity, payments and government services across the continent. Operators face the same migration, alongside new options such as quantum-secured links.
The year the US National Institute of Standards and Technology published its first post-quantum cryptography standards. The global migration has started, and African institutions should have a say in how it plays out.
Our first convening
London, November 2026.
The UK–Africa Quantum AI Convening is the first in a series of AQI convenings. It brings senior African government, financial services and telecoms leaders together with UK research centres, industry and investors for three days in London.
UK–Africa Quantum AI Convening
- Wed 4 NovHands-on quantum and AI session, hosted by Google
- Thu 5 NovMain convening day: roundtables and working groups
- Fri 6 NovUK Quantum Showcase, by special invitation
Partners
Working with
Supported by the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub, UK-South Africa Tech Hub and UK-Kenya Tech Hub, an initiative of the Digital Access Programme (DAP) under the UK Government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Partner with AQI
Help build Africa's quantum future.
- Governments and regulatorsShape national quantum and post-quantum readiness with peers across the continent.
- Research institutionsOpen up access, exchange and joint research with African partners.
- CompaniesWork on real use cases in financial services, telecoms and beyond.
- Funders and investorsBack talent, research and early ventures from the start.
Get in touch
Tell us who you are and how you would like to work with AQI. We reply to every partnership enquiry.
info@africaquantuminstitute.org