KNUST physicist Dr Henry Martin has urged stronger international collaboration, skills development and inclusive training pathways to help Africa close the growing global quantum divide.
He made the call in Barcelona, Spain, where he delivered a presentation and joined a high-level panel at the 2025 Quantum Education Summit, held from December 3–5 at CosmoCaixa.
Addressing quantum scientists, educators and policymakers from around the world, Dr Martin outlined the progress made by KNUST’s Mathematical and Computational Physics (MCP) Unit since its establishment four years ago.
He argued that Africa and Ghana in particular has the talent base to participate meaningfully in the emerging quantum economy, provided that knowledge-sharing and strategic partnerships are prioritised.
In his presentation, “Quantum Science and Technology (QST) in Ghana: A Way to Address the Quantum Divide and Ensure Inclusiveness,” he highlighted the MCP Unit’s model for building quantum capacity through curriculum innovation, student mentoring and targeted outreach.
He emphasised that Africa’s challenge is not a lack of ability but limited access to cutting-edge tools, training opportunities and structured pathways into advanced study. He called for expanded regional collaboration, resource pooling and joint research initiatives to accelerate progress.
Dr Martin later contributed to a panel discussion on “Outreach Initiatives in Africa,” where he underscored the importance of early exposure for young learners.
He pointed to hands-on demonstrations, immersive exhibitions and well-designed bridging programmes as essential components for preparing senior high school students and bachelor’s graduates for postgraduate quantum studies.
Speakers agreed that such interventions are critical for developing a sustainable, inclusive talent pipeline and positioning African institutions to contribute to global quantum science and technology.
The summit formed part of activities marking the UNESCO-declared International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025), hosted by the Catalonia Quantum Academy.
Dr Henry Martin is a lecturer in the Department of Physics at KNUST, coordinates the MCP Unit, and serves as Local Coordinator for the Interdisciplinary Mathematics Network (RealMaths Consortium).
He leads the MSc Physics programme under the Institute of Distance Learning and is the Department’s Postgraduate Coordinator. His research spans digital twin modelling, multiscale simulations, machine learning and applications in water systems, renewable energy and materials science.
