Nairobi, Kenya | July 2026 Artificial Intelligence has dominated conversations about the future of technology over the past few years. It is transforming businesses, reshaping industries and redefining how societies work. Yet, quietly emerging alongside AI is another technology that many experts believe could be even more transformative, quantum computing.
Although the term sounds highly technical, its implications will eventually touch almost every aspect of modern life. It could help scientists discover life-saving medicines in record time, enable more accurate climate predictions, optimise transport systems, accelerate advances in artificial intelligence and solve scientific problems that are currently beyond the reach of even the world’s most powerful supercomputers. At the same time, it poses one of the greatest cybersecurity challenges humanity has ever faced, with the potential to render many of today’s encryption methods obsolete.
Recognising the importance of preparing Kenya for this technological shift, @iLabAfrica- Strathmore University, in partnership with QuantumKE, convened researchers, students, technology professionals, innovators and policymakers for a webinar titled “Demystifying Quantum Computing.” The event sought to make one of the world’s most complex scientific fields understandable while exploring what it means for Kenya’s digital future.
The webinars key speaker, Carrington Kinyanjui – a researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Manchester, whose work focuses on quantum computing and artificial intelligence. Through practical examples and relatable analogies, Kinyanjui broke down complex concepts into language accessible to participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
So What Exactly Is Quantum Computing?
To understand why quantum computing matters, it helps to first understand how today’s computers work.
Every smartphone, laptop and supercomputer processes information using bits, which exist in one of two states: 0 or 1. Regardless of how powerful these machines become, they fundamentally solve problems by processing enormous numbers of these binary instructions.
Quantum computers operate differently.
Instead of bits, they use quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously because of the principles of quantum mechanics. This enables quantum computers to evaluate many possible solutions at once rather than one after another.
For many everyday tasks sending emails, browsing the internet or creating documents, classical computers will remain the better option. However, for exceptionally complex problems involving enormous datasets or countless possible combinations, quantum computers could perform calculations that would take conventional computers hundreds, thousands or even millions of years.
This capability has attracted unprecedented investment from governments and technology companies around the world, with nations racing to build quantum expertise before the technology reaches maturity.
For Africa, the question is no longer whether quantum computing will become important but whether the continent will be ready when it does.
Why Should Kenya Care?
While quantum computing is still an emerging technology, its future applications align closely with Kenya’s development priorities.
- Healthcare researchers could dramatically accelerate drug discovery and disease modelling.
- Financial institutions could optimise investment models and fraud detection systems.
- Agricultural scientists could develop more accurate climate and crop prediction models.
- Artificial intelligence systems could become significantly more powerful.
- Supply chains and logistics networks could be optimised on an unprecedented scale.
- Perhaps most significantly, governments and businesses will need to rethink cybersecurity.
As quantum computing advances, many of today’s encryption methods the technologies protecting banking systems, government records and sensitive digital communications could eventually become vulnerable. This has prompted countries worldwide to begin investing in post-quantum cryptography, a new generation of security standards designed to withstand future quantum attacks.
Kinyanjui urged organisations not to wait until quantum computers become mainstream before beginning preparations.
“We are not even secure against classical attacks… We need to build capacity. We need to figure out a way of introducing post-quantum cryptography courses in Kenya.”
He noted that preparing for quantum security does not necessarily require owning a quantum computer. Much of the work begins with education, software development, standards and building local expertise capable of implementing future-ready security systems.
Building a Quantum-Ready Workforce
The webinar’s interactive discussion reflected growing interest in quantum technologies across Kenya’s academic and professional communities. Participants from fields including cybersecurity, data science, computer science, engineering and research explored practical pathways into quantum computing and its potential applications across industries.
Responding to questions from participants, Kinyanjui explained that quantum computing extends far beyond theoretical physics. While advanced research requires strong foundations in mathematics and physics, the broader quantum ecosystem will also require expertise in cybersecurity, software engineering, artificial intelligence, education, policy, governance and entrepreneurship.
He encouraged learners and professionals from diverse disciplines to begin building foundational knowledge, noting that numerous online learning resources and cloud-based quantum computing platforms are already available to help individuals and institutions gain practical experience. He highlighted initiatives such as IBM’s quantum learning platform, which provides learners and researchers with access to educational resources and quantum computing environments to develop practical skills before large-scale quantum computers become widely available.
The discussion underscored an important message for universities, government agencies and industry leaders: preparing for the quantum era is not solely about acquiring new technology, it is about investing in people, skills and interdisciplinary collaboration that will enable Africa to compete in the next generation of scientific and technological innovation.
Beyond discussing technology, the webinar sparked an important conversation about the future of science education in Kenya.
Kinyanjui argued that physics and mathematics are often introduced in ways that discourage curiosity rather than inspire it.
Instead, he advocated for teaching modern scientific concepts earlier in school and creating stronger links between disciplines such as computer science, artificial intelligence, mathematics and engineering.
We need to find ways of restructuring physics education and science education… Young minds are quickly developing. You need to trust them
He suggested that exposing students to modern physics earlier would help build a generation better prepared for frontier technologies such as quantum computing.
The discussion also highlighted the need for universities to embrace more interdisciplinary programmes that equip graduates with the diverse skills required in emerging fields. As quantum computing converges with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science, future professionals will increasingly need to bridge multiple disciplines rather than specialise in only one.
Africa Must Build, Not Just Consume
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the importance of Africa becoming an active contributor to global scientific advancement rather than merely adopting technologies developed elsewhere.
Kinyanjui challenged researchers to think beyond local impact and pursue innovations capable of addressing global challenges.
African solutions to African problems is a wonderful slogan, but China has China solutions to the world’s problems… If you want to get wealthy, solve problems that other people other than your country are interested in.
His remarks reinforced the need for stronger collaboration between universities, governments, industry and international research institutions to position Kenya as a producer of knowledge, technology and innovation.
For development partners and research funders, this presents a timely opportunity to support initiatives that strengthen Africa’s capacity in quantum technologies, advanced computing and cybersecurity. Strategic investments in research infrastructure, talent development and collaborative innovation ecosystems will be critical in ensuring that the continent is not left behind as quantum technologies mature.
Through initiatives such as Demystifying Quantum Computing, iLabAfrica Centre continues to create platforms where frontier technologies are explored before they become mainstream, enabling researchers, innovators, policymakers and businesses to understand both the opportunities and the challenges they present.
The Centre’s commitment to convening conversations on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science and now quantum computing reflects its broader mission of advancing digital transformation through research, innovation and capacity building. By bringing together local and international experts, iLabAfrica is fostering an ecosystem where knowledge is translated into practical solutions that contribute to Kenya’s digital resilience and Africa’s long-term competitiveness.
Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs
For Kenya, building quantum readiness means investing in education, strengthening research ecosystems, modernising cybersecurity, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and creating opportunities for young scientists and innovators to engage with frontier technologies.
About @iLabAfrica Centre
@iLabAfrica Centre is a Centre of Excellence in ICT Innovation and Development at Strathmore University. The Centre advances research, innovation and capacity building in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Digital Health, Internet of Things and Digital Learning through strategic partnerships with academia, government, industry and development partners. By fostering interdisciplinary research and nurturing Africa’s next generation of innovators, @iLabAfrica is helping shape a digitally resilient, knowledge-driven and innovation-led future for the continent.