COUNTRY FOCUS : SOUTH AFRICA
and working on the continent . Notably , many of these participants tackled the kinds of quantum computing problems that are important not just because classical machines struggle to solve them , but also because they are so often overlooked by developer communities in Europe , Asia and North America .
These events also proved that there is enormous enthusiasm for quantum computing all across the continent . In many cases , that enthusiasm came from some surprising places . “ The interest isn ’ t just from physicists , like we would have expected ,” said Amira Abbas , Advocate , IBM Quantum Research . “ It came from people ( with ) all types of backgrounds , like engineers , computer scientists , mathematicians and more .”
Qubit course
Engagements like these are crucial to the further growth of the quantum community on the continent . Mmapula Baloi , Advocate Intern , IBM Quantum Community , South Africa , said she first became interested in the field after attending a Qiskit Global Summer School and a OneQuantum Women in Quantum event . Now , she ’ s a Ph . D . student studying physics at Wits University . “ It was kind of difficult to find a university locally that offered a quantum computing course similar to the one by The Coding School ’ s Qubit by Qubit course that I attended ,” she said .
While universities are doing quantum research in South Africa , Baloi realised that online courses targeted toward global audiences are a must for anyone hoping to enter the field . Now , Baloi herself is working with universities across the continent to spread awareness of quantum computing research and share educational opportunities .
African quantum experts like IBM Research South Africa Ismail Akhalwaya , Research Scientist , believe that developing home-grown quantum knowledge on the African continent is crucial . “ We ’ re not traditionally a computer technology economy in South Africa or even in the whole of Africa , but we need to move that way ,” he said .
Akhalwaya argued that educational efforts made today , are the only way to ensure that researchers will eventually use quantum computing to tackle African problems , and to ensure that Africans in the future receive equitable access to the potential commercial rewards of a mature quantum industry . “ This is the time to earn IP ,” he said . “ Scientists are securing patents on new inventions around quantum and we should be a part of that .”
African universities may not have built up quantum hardware infrastructure , but Baloi pointed out that students have ample opportunity to impact algorithm and application development with the help of Qiskit . Making impacts in this way doesn ’ t necessarily require formal training , either .
Quantum Challenge Africa
Now , Amira Abbas , Baloi and Akhalwaya and other quantum researchers and advocates from IBM Research and Wits University are working to launch the IBM Quantum Challenge Africa . Developed by African researchers with a particular eye towards engaging African students , researchers , and industry professionals , the challenge aims to grow the African quantum community and boost participants ’ quantum computing skills by guiding them through the application of quantum to problems in agriculture , finance , and chemistry . To make the most of that interest , challenge developers like Abbas and Akhalwaya have put in a great deal of effort to ensure that the Quantum Challenge Africa exercises are intellectually stimulating without requiring a background in quantum computing .
IBM Quantum Challenge Africa will run from September 9 through September 20 , 2021 , and although the event is especially geared toward African participants , it is open to anyone from around the globe .
The challenge will consist of three exercises that demonstrate how researchers may one day use quantum computing to tackle issues that are particularly relevant to the African continent – including problems in crop yield logistics , financial optimisation , and quantum drug discovery . A formal education in quantum computing is not required , and participants who complete all exercises will receive a digital badge that recognises their achievement . p
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