In December 2025, UNESCO delivered a nine-session online quantum computing course for African women scientists, with participants from Ghana among the 40 women selected from 15 African countries. According to UNESCO, participants joined from Ghana, Nigeria, Mauritania, Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, Togo, Gambia, Namibia, Algeria, Morocco, Burkina Faso, Benin, Cameroon, and Ethiopia.
Led by Dr. Maria Longobardi from the University of Basel and Dr. James Wootton from Moth Quantique, the course covered core quantum computing concepts and selected applications, progressing from foundational material to more advanced topics. It was based on the open-source textbook Learn Quantum Computation using Qiskit. Participants who completed at least six sessions received a certificate, with the top three students awarded a dedicated training opportunity.
UNESCO designed the course to address persistent regional and gender disparities in global quantum development. The agency noted that participation in quantum science remains limited across parts of Africa, with women scientists facing additional structural barriers related to access, networks, and sustained training opportunities. Insights from the program will inform the ongoing development of the Global Quantum Initiative.