In December 2025, forty women scientists from fifteen African countries participated in the UNESCO Quantum Computing Course for African Women Scientists, a nine-session online training and mentorship program conducted under the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025). According to UNESCO, participants joined from Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritania, Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, Togo, Gambia, Namibia, Algeria, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia.
UNESCO designed the course to provide an accessible foundation in quantum computing and help participants identify pathways into the field. The program was led by Dr. Maria Longobardi from the University of Basel and Dr. James Wootton from Moth Quantum. It progressed from core concepts to selected applications, combining technical instruction with interactive discussion. Participants represented diverse scientific disciplines and varying levels of prior exposure to quantum science.
According to UNESCO, the initiative responded to analytical work indicating that participation in quantum science remains limited across parts of Africa and the Global South, with women scientists facing additional structural barriers linked to access, networks, and sustained training opportunities. Participant feedback indicated strengthened understanding of core quantum concepts and increased confidence in engaging with emerging technologies. The course was open-access and free of charge, with a dedicated mentorship track for women PhD students in STEM from across Africa.