[Blog] The Age of Quantum Computing will soon be Upon Us: Is Africa Ready

by Stephen Z. Chundama & Aminata Dembele

*Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely attributed to the authors

While Africa is still exploring ways of leveraging on the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is arguably the most disruptive innovation of the modern age, yet another technological revolution is rapidly approaching. Quantum computing, once considered a distant scientific ambition, is advancing at an unprecedented rate and has the potential to reshape economies, industries, digital security, payment systems, and scientific discovery.

The question for Africa is not whether quantum computing will transform the world, but whether the continent will be prepared when it does.

Will quantum computing change the world beyond what AI is able to deliver?

While traditional computers process information using binary bits, quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits through phenomena known as superposition and quantum entanglement. This capability makes quantum computing fundamentally different from classical computing due to its ability to process vast amounts of information simultaneously. Notwithstanding, classical and quantum computing, the two most disruptive innovations of the modern age, are not competitive, but rather effectively complement each other because they solve fundamentally different problems. While AI excels at machine learning, pattern recognition, natural language, and decision-making, quantum computing processes complex physical simulations and mathematical optimizations at unprecedented speeds. In particular, AI is required to stabilize and calibrate quantum hardware, while quantum computing will power the next generation of energy-efficient, hyper-advanced AI.

That said, in 2019, a quantum supremacy experiment was undertaken where Googles Sycamore quantum processor took 200 seconds to solve a complex problem, while a classical supercomputer was estimated to take 10,000 years to solve the same problem. Similarly, in 2020, China's USTC Jiuzhang quantum processor took 200 seconds to solve a different problem, while a classical supercomputer was estimated to finish its calculations after 0.6 billion years.

Although large-scale, commercially applicable quantum computing capabilities remain under development, rapid technological progress and recent political declarations suggest that the era of commercial application may arrive sooner than previously expected. Among the numerous disruptive innovations it will provide include accelerating healthcare and drug discovery, using its powerful ability to simulate precise interactions between molecules and biological systems, leading to more effective treatments. Also, quantum computing is expected to revolutionize crop production by facilitating precision agriculture through optimization of complex supply chains and farming inputs such as fertilizers, irrigation systems, and development of climate resistant crops. Moreover, quantum computing has the potential to accelerate the discovery of more energy efficient materials for batteries, solar panels, and energy storage systems, among others.

What are countries doing to mitigate the dangers of quantum computing capabilities?

While quantum computing promises enormous benefits and immeasurable potential to enhance human civilization and alleviate suffering, its capabilities introduce unprecedented risks to the current global financial, security, digital and privacy landscape. Specifically, modern economies rely heavily on data encryption to protect financial transactions, government communications, health records, military information, private telecommunications services, and critical infrastructure such as utilities. However, many of the encryption standards used today were designed to withstand attacks from binary-based classical computers - not quantum powered computers. When sufficiently powerful quantum computers become available, widely used encryption systems could easily become vulnerable. This has raised serious concerns among governments, financial institutions, and cybersecurity experts worldwide, such as suspected "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" programmes where malicious actors may already be collecting and storing enormous amounts of encrypted information today, in the hope of unlocking it once quantum computers become powerful enough. The unmistakable implication is that sensitive data transmitted today may face risks in the future, if organizations and governments fail to quickly transition to quantum-resistant security systems.

That said, many countries are already preparing for the quantum era. While the U.S. has invested heavily in quantum research, technology development, and cybersecurity modernization, China has emerged as a global leader in quantum communications and infrastructure, including development of satellite-based quantum communication networks.

As of July 2026, total worldwide public sector investment commitments into quantum technology reached an estimated $65.9 billion, in addition to the $10 billion in venture capital financing that was provided in 2025.

Figure 1: Top 10 Countries Investing in Quantum Technology (US$, billions)

Source: QuantumPath (2026)

Although the above estimates may be characterized by asymmetric information since state actors rarely accurately disclose funding for research that has military and security implications, the message is clear: leading economies view quantum computing as a strategic innovation for economic competitiveness, superiority in digital warfare, as well as scientific and technological leadership.

What should Africa do now?

Due to inadequate investment in research and development, averaging 0.4% of GDP, compared to a global average of 2%, Africa has historically been a mere recipient and end-user of disruptive technologies. Unfortunately, the emergence of quantum computing could further widen existing technological disparities between Africa and the rest of the world. Put simply, countries that invest early in research, talent, and infrastructure are likely to gain strategic advantages, while those that remain passive may become increasingly dependent on technologies developed elsewhere.

Preparing for the quantum supremacy era does not mean Africa should attempt to compete with wealthy, developed economies in investing large amounts of scarce resources towards the development of quantum computing technologies. Rather, it requires a smart, strategic, and proactive approach based on international partnerships, awareness and skills development.

In mid-2026, the U.S. President signed two consequential executive orders on "Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation" (EO 14413) and "Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks" (EO 14412) - with the latter directing Government agencies to transition all civilian high value assets and high-impact systems to secure quantum resistant standards by December 31, 2030. This signals the importance and urgency of preparing for Q-Day, when quantum computers are able to instantly break classical encryption standards. For this reason, the continent must urgently raise awareness among policymakers, regional institutions, and development partners on the opportunities and existential risks associated with quantum technologies. In addition to investment in skills development in quantum science, it's imperative that Africa assesses its preparedness for post-quantum cybersecurity where Governments, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure operators assess their exposure to quantum-related cybersecurity risks and begin planning for the adoption of quantum-resistant encryption standards.

To guide Africa's immediate and future response, the continent must develop an African Quantum Strategy and Roadmap, with specialized regional institutions coordinating awareness, research, policy discussions, talent development, and knowledge sharing. Granted a few pan-African NGOs have initialized thought leadership on Africa's position on quantum computing, regional institutional anchoring through an African Union adopted continental roadmap, partially based on the Quantum Roadmap for Africa and Africa Quantum Consortium Memo , will help to ensure a coordinated, coherent and collaborative approach to quantum readiness.

Conclusion

As proved by leading quantum researchers all over the world, we are already living in a world of quantum supremacy, as the global, geopolitically motivated arms race for quantum computing dominance and industrial scalability accelerates with the rapid inflow of talent and finances. Just as AI is transforming industries today, quantum computing will redefine what is possible tomorrow.

Due to unprecedented prioritization by world governments, motivated by cybersecurity and military implications, the scalability and use of quantum computing capabilities may not be ushered in by bombastic media headlines or press conferences. In other words, the world may not immediately know that Q-Day has arrived - but most experts agree that the day is rapidly approaching and may arrive a lot sooner than most people expect. For this reason, Africa cannot afford to wait and must accelerate migration to post-quantum standards that already exist such as NIST FIPS 203/204/205. The risks and opportunities of quantum computing are clear. Time to act is NOW !!!