The Africa Quantum Consortium (AQC) today launched Hack the Horizon: The Pan-African Quantum Challenge, a landmark initiative designed to assemble and activate a sovereign quantum ecosystem across the continent. Registration for this continent-wide challenge, uniting African innovators with the global diaspora, opened on November 20, 2025. This initiative strategically unites leading university researchers, software developers, and industry leaders to co-build solutions for Africa and the world, serving as a stepping stone for Africans to participate in the rapidly growing quantum technology industry – a sector attracting over $13 billion in funding this year alone. The challenge will culminate in an awards ceremony at the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025) in Ghana.
Hack the Horizon: Pan-African Quantum Challenge Launch
The Africa Quantum Consortium (AQC) launched “Hack the Horizon: The Pan-African Quantum Challenge” on November 20, 2025, aiming to build a sovereign quantum ecosystem across the continent. This initiative unites researchers, developers, and industry leaders with next-generation problem-solvers. Registration is now open, and participants will collaborate, receive mentoring, and compete for recognition at the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025) closing ceremony in Ghana in February.
Hack the Horizon is described as more than just a competition, but a strategic assembly for Africa’s quantum future. The AQC is actively seeking partnerships, including co-investment and technical expertise, to foster mutual growth. Visionary companies are invited to co-create alongside Africa’s innovators, accessing talent and forging strategic alliances within dynamic markets. This initiative addresses the current lack of quantum-ready workers globally.
The challenge comes at a time of accelerating investment in quantum technology – exceeding $40 billion worldwide with over $13 billion added in 2025 alone. While China, the EU, and the US currently dominate investment, UNESCO seeks to increase funding for the Global South, including Africa. The AQC is soliciting both financial sponsorship and in-kind assistance like mentorship to support the hackathon and its participants.
Building Africa’s Sovereign Quantum Ecosystem
The Africa Quantum Consortium (AQC) has launched ‘Hack the Horizon,’ a Pan-African Quantum Challenge designed to build a sovereign quantum ecosystem for the continent. Registration opened November 20, 2025, uniting researchers, developers, and industry leaders with innovators across Africa and its diaspora. This initiative aims to address a critical need: the Global South, including Africa, has not yet benefitted from the over $40 billion in worldwide quantum technology investments.
This challenge goes beyond a typical competition, functioning as a “living laboratory” for innovation and a strategic partnership opportunity. AQC seeks financial support and in-kind contributions – like mentorship and real-world challenges – from companies. Sponsors will gain access to existing and future quantum professionals within Africa, addressing a growing shortage of qualified workers in the rapidly expanding quantum tech industry, predicted by some to reach quantum advantage by 2030.
AQC is structuring partnerships focused on co-investment and technical expertise, inviting companies to move “beyond conversation and into co-creation.” The hackathon, hosted on the Aqora platform, will honor winners at the closing ceremony of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025) in Ghana. UNESCO hopes to use IYQ 2025 to bring more funding and attention to quantum development in the Global South.
“Across our continent, the seeds of a quantum revolution are being sown. By bringing our brightest minds together at events like Hack the Horizon, the Africa Quantum Consortium is cultivating a forest of innovation that will shape Africa’s tomorrow.”
Professor Ahmed Younes of Alexandria University
Investment and Growth in Quantum Technology
The Africa Quantum Consortium (AQC) is launching “Hack the Horizon,” a Pan-African Quantum Challenge designed to build a sovereign quantum ecosystem across the continent. This initiative aims to unite researchers, developers, and industry leaders, fostering collaboration and problem-solving for both African and global challenges. Recognizing a future shortage of quantum-ready workers, the AQC seeks to connect sponsors with emerging African talent and a growing pool of young professionals in the field.
Investment in the quantum technology industry has rapidly accelerated, reaching over $40 billion worldwide in 2025, with an additional $13 billion added this year. While China, the EU, and the US are leading investors, the Global South, including Africa, has not yet significantly benefited. UNESCO is working to draw attention and funding to the Global South during the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025), aligning with the AQC’s initiative.
“Hack the Horizon” offers strategic partnership opportunities for companies wishing to co-build Africa’s quantum ecosystem through co-investment, technical expertise, and challenge development. Sponsors can gain access to current quantum professionals and the future talent pool in Africa. The AQC is seeking both financial support and in-kind contributions like mentorship and real-world use cases for participants, positioning the hackathon as a “living laboratory” for innovation.
