Africa Quantum Consortium Memo
Africa’s Quantum Revolution: Leading, Not Waiting
Insights from the 2025 Quantum Open Source Software (QOSS) Survey
Recent data from the Unitary Foundation’s 2025 Quantum Open Source Software (QOSS) Survey - with 1,400+ global respondents over 3 years - confirms what the Africa Quantum Consortium (AQC) has long known: Africa’s next generation isn’t waiting for an invitation to the quantum era; we’re taking the lead. The survey paints a clear picture of a booming quantum community: more classical software professionals are entering the field, the community is overwhelmingly young (over 53% are age 30 or under), and there is keen interest in cutting-edge skills (nearly everyone surveyed “wants to learn Rust”). These insights align with AQC’s mission: we’ve been gearing Africa’s talent toward quantum for years, and the data shows Africa’s trajectory isn’t an outlier - it’s the future.
Bridging from Classical to Quantum
The survey notes a surge of classical developers entering quantum. AQC is already acting on this trend. Our 6-month Quantum Computing Fellowship (in partnership with Ennovate Lab) is tailor-made to bridge classical coding fluency into quantum depth. This program brings seasoned software developers into hands-on quantum projects, fueling skill transfer and innovation. By equipping classical developers with quantum toolkits now, we ensure Africa won’t just catch up — we’ll write the next playbook for hybrid classical–quantum solutions.
Youthful Energy Driving Growth
Youth is our strength. Over half of the global quantum community is under 30 - and Africa is precisely that demographic. AQC is channeling this energy into capability-building across the continent. We run teacher-training workshops, talent-mapping initiatives, and an active diaspora mentorship network to connect young Africans with global quantum experts. From Burkina Faso to Zimbabwe, we’re empowering students and early-career researchers to contribute to real quantum projects. The message is loud and clear: Africa’s young minds are already thinking and building quantum.
Building Africa’s Quantum Economy
Passion fuels the field — but talent needs support to thrive. The survey reveals a striking fact: nearly 40% of quantum contributors worldwide work without pay. AQC is moving to change that. We’re creating Africa’s first Quantum Economy: forging value chains, enabling funding access, and designing projects that deliver dignified career paths for quantum talent. By partnering with universities, governments, and industry, AQC ensures that African developers and researchers can earn a living (and more) from their quantum contributions. In practice, this means grant programs, startup incubators, and sponsored research projects - all to ensure Africa’s innovators aren’t just volunteering, but thriving.
Modern Skills for a Hybrid World
The signal on skillsets couldn’t be clearer: everyone wants to learn Rust. To us, this isn’t just about one language it’s about a shift. Quantum developers are demanding modern, high-performance tools that meet the moment.
At AQC, we’re already on it. Through our mentorship program, we’re embedding these tools into our training pathways. Our study groups and virtual happy hours bring together developers from across Africa and the diaspora to exchange skills, co-build with open-source frameworks, and explore the quantum-classical stack together.
This goes beyond education — it’s collaborative capacity-building, rooted in shared curiosity and open-source culture.
By future-proofing our ecosystem now, AQC is ensuring that African technologists are fluent in tomorrow’s tools and also defining how those tools will be used.
Mentorship & Structured Learning: The Community’s Blueprint
Unitary’s survey collected open-ended feedback, and the top two needs stand out: “Learning, Mentorship & Training” and “Collaboration & Community Building”. Respondents are calling for formalized training pathways and stronger support networks.
AQC has taken this to heart. We are stitching the continent into a connected quantum learning ecosystem: peer-mentoring programs, structured online courses, and a pan-African quantum Discord community. Our blueprint is simple - no more isolated hobbyists or fragmented efforts. By linking people, projects, and purpose, AQC is transforming quantum growth in Africa from sporadic sparks into a rising tide of expertise.
You can read more about the 2025 Quantum Open Source Software (QOSS) Survey results in this blog post.
Africa Takes Charge (Our Call to Action)
The signal is undeniable: Africa isn’t late to the quantum conversation — we’re redefining its architecture. As AQC’s leadership vision states, “Africa doesn’t wait to be invited”. We are moving from being consumers of technology to co-architects of the quantum age. Now is the moment to match this energy with action.
To Africa’s tech builders, policymakers, and global partners:
This survey proves it - Africa isn’t behind, it’s underfunded, underplatformed, and underestimated. Now is the time to correct that. Let’s build the infrastructure, invest in the education, and back the startups that will define the quantum era from this continent.
Here’s how to move the needle today - no bureaucracy, no excuses:
💸 Fund a fellowship seat — give one more African technologist a six-month leap into the field.
🧠 Mentor rising talent — an hour a month from your calendar could shift someone’s trajectory.
🏗️ Sponsor or co-develop a quantum research hub in your region.
📢 Put AQC on your platform — invite us to tell our story on your panel, podcast, classroom, or newsroom.
🔁 Amplify our mission — a share, a retweet, or a warm intro to a policymaker or funder has more impact than you think.
Africa isn’t asking to be included. We’re designing the model of inclusion.
If you believe in a quantum future that serves everyone, then help build it where the momentum is real - on the African continent, now.
🔗 Visit africaquantum.org or reach out directly at collaborate[at]africaquantum[dot]org to partner with us.
The Africa Quantum Consortium is the driving force uniting Africa’s top minds to collaborate, innovate, and propel quantum technology forward across the continent.