From 8 –11 July 2025, AIMS Ghana made history by hosting the AIMS Quantum Technology Education (QTEdu) Global Event, serving as a platform for collaborative action under the theme: “Accelerating Capacity Building to Advance Quantum Science & Technology.”

Key activities scheduled as part of the QTEdu Global Event included:

• The AIMS Quantum Hackathon (Quantathon), held in partnership with the Open Quantum Institute (OQI)

• The Global Quantum Science & Technology Education Workshop

• A Public Lecture and Keynote Panel on Quantum Science & Technology

Led by Dr. Price K. Osei, AIMS Ghana’s Centre President and Director for Quantum Leap Africa (QLA), hosting Africa’s first-ever quantum computing hackathon, brought together brilliant young minds from across the continent to explore how quantum science could help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The Quantathon, a creative fusion of “quantum” and “hackathon”, was a flagship activity of the QTEdu Global Event, a week-long celebration of innovation, collaboration, and education dedicated to accelerating global capacity building in quantum science and technology.

Designed with a clear mission to create meaningful opportunities for African students to engage in quantum education and to challenge them to develop applications that could contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it was based on the OQI Educational Consortium’s “Hackathon in a Box” toolkit, which blends practical experimentation with theoretical learning, the students were guided to think creatively about quantum algorithms that could support sustainable development.

Over three days, seven multidisciplinary teams worked intensively on real-world problem-solving, addressing areas ranging from healthcare to access to clean water. The winning team, Qualaria (Quantum Leap Against Malaria), impressed the judges with a quantum simulation approach designed to fast-track drug development for malaria, a disease that continues to affect millions across Africa. For their innovative and impact-driven solution, Qualaria also received the sustainability award. The team included Ndam Abibou, Dorcas Seshie, Astride Melvin Fokam Ninyim, Prince Dorcis and Augustina Agyeman.

The success of the AIMS Ghana Quantathon was amplified by the contributions of international partners such as OQI, whose team members provided expertise, mentorship, and global perspectives. Philipp Kammerlander (Applications Advisor at OQI) served as a judge and delivered a talk on how OQI is aligning quantum applications with the SDGs, while also joining a Google AI Lab workshop on advancing global quantum education. Martin Gastal (Capacity Building and Partnerships Lead at OQI) enriched discussions during a keynote panel on quantum technologies and AI, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration and bridging the digital divide. Meanwhile, David Dosu (Research Associate at OQI) participated in workshop discussions on how to expand access to quantum education in underserved regions.

For AIMS Ghana, the Quantathon was more than just a competition, it was a milestone in demonstrating how Africa can take a leading role in shaping the future of emerging technologies. By empowering young people with cutting-edge knowledge and tools, AIMS continues to build capacity, nurture talent and create pathways for African youth to contribute to solving global problems through science and innovation.

The week’s activities reaffirmed AIMS Ghana’s position as a Centre for excellence in mathematical sciences and its commitment to ensuring that transformative technologies like quantum computing are developed inclusively and for the benefit of society. As AIMS and its partners look to the future, the Quantathon stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when education, innovation, and collaboration come together to tackle global challenges from an African perspective.