The South African Quantum Technology Initiative (SA QuTI) entered its second phase in April 2025, backed by funding of ZAR 142 million (approximately USD 7.8 million) over five years from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). The funding increase was reported by Nature Africa and confirmed in a white paper published by the Centre of Excellence in Financial Services.
Phase 2 represented a substantial increase from Phase 1, which had received R54 million through March 2025. A 2024 snapshot of SA QuTI showed approximately 90 students and postdocs supported across its nodes, with roughly 20 full-time academics engaged in quantum research. Node activities covered quantum physics, quantum engineering, quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum machine learning, quantum chemistry, quantum devices, and commercialization.
Professor Andrew Forbes, who leads SA QuTI, told Nature Africa that the national strategy focused on developing a quantum economy rather than competing in quantum hardware. SA QuTI’s five university nodes at Wits, Stellenbosch, UKZN, the University of Zululand, and Cape Peninsula University of Technology continued to operate across three flagship programs in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum metrology.