Quantum in Latin America and Africa: Brazil, South Africa, Ghana and More
Starting from a small base
The big headlines go to the US, China and Europe. But quantum science is global, and some of the most inspiring stories are in places with far smaller budgets. This guide covers Brazil and Africa using the sources I could actually read or confirm, and it will say plainly where details are missing.
Brazil
According to a November 2025 Quantum Insider write-up of a Quantum World Tour episode, Brazil's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) has made quantum a national priority, supporting new research centers, funding programs and international partnerships. Research groups at the University of Campinas (Unicamp), Sao Paulo State University (UNESP) and the Federal University of Para work on quantum communication, computing and materials. Companies named include QuaTI and Kryptus, which commercialize quantum ideas for secure communication and computing. The article gave no funding numbers.
Search results also reported, via Portuguese-language outlets, a Brazilian Quantum Technologies Initiative (IBQuantica) with plans to install the first two quantum computers in the state of Paraiba, with activity spread across six cities, and a 2024 MCTI ordinance creating a working group to design the national initiative. I could not read those pages in full, so treat the Paraiba details and any dates as reported and unconfirmed. A March 2026 conference session also described post-quantum cryptography as part of Brazil's preparations (see the deadlines guide).
Africa: the numbers
An Ecofin Agency article of June 19, 2026, citing the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), says global quantum computing investment reached about 245 billion dollars in 2025, split roughly 109 billion for Europe, 95.7 billion for North America and 39.4 billion for Asia-Pacific, against only about 10.7 million dollars for Africa. These are secondary-source figures and definitions of "investment" vary, but the gap is plain. UNECA's 2026 Economic Report on Africa describes quantum as a strategic opportunity for greater scientific and technological independence and urges governments to invest in research, talent and specialized institutions.
Africa: the organizing
- The United Nations. The same article reports that Egypt, Ghana, Senegal and South Africa jointly introduced a quantum science resolution at the UN General Assembly in 2024, adopted by consensus.
- Africa Quantum Consortium (AQC). Quantum Computing Report coverage describes it as launched in August 2025 as a continent-wide coordination platform for quantum science, education, innovation and policy, organized around four pillars: Unify, Clarify, Influence and Fund.
- South Africa. TechCentral reports that the South African Quantum Technology Initiative (SA QuTI) entered a second phase in April 2025 with about R142 million of government funding over five years, which is in the region of 7.8 million dollars. We found only that one source, so confirm before quoting.
- Ghana. Stakeholders have discussed building a national strategy, and an African International Conference on Quantum Computing and Simulation was reported at KNUST in February 2026, with a goal of laying groundwork for an African Centre of Excellence in quantum science.
- A long distance link. The Ecofin article reports a 2025 project between Chinese and South African researchers that set up a satellite quantum communication link of about 12,900 km, described as the longest intercontinental one. See quantum networks.
Why this is still good news
Quantum is a field where ideas, software and talent matter alongside giant machines. Students can learn on free cloud tools (see how to try a quantum computer online). Research groups can specialize in algorithms, sensing or cryptography without a billion dollar lab. Countries that train people now will be ready when hardware matures. Coordination efforts such as the AQC help small teams share ideas, which tends to multiply impact.
The honest caveats
- Budgets are small, and some figures here come from news summaries rather than government documents.
- Hardware plans in Brazil are reported, not confirmed on a primary page.
- No one should treat a conference or consortium as a working quantum computer.
Keep following the story with how to follow quantum news, and compare with the global race. The QNT memecoin is independent and not linked to any government, university or company named here. This is education, not financial advice.
Sources and further reading
- The Quantum Insider: Quantum World Tour, Brazil (Nov 4, 2025)
- Ecofin Agency: Quantum computing could reshape security, Africa risks falling behind (June 19, 2026)
- Quantum Computing Report: Africa Quantum Consortium launches
- TechCentral: South Africa's quantum bet starts to leave the lab
- Canaltech (Portuguese): Brazil to install its first two quantum computers in Paraiba (not fully read)
- News Ghana: Africa builds quantum computing ecosystem (not fully read)
Reported as of 2026-10-09. Funding figures and company valuations change often and some come from investor commentary, so check primary documents before relying on any number. This site is not financial advice. The QNT memecoin is independent and is not linked to any company, lab or government named here, including the real company Quantinuum Ltd.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Africa attract in quantum investment in 2025?
About 10.7 million dollars, against roughly 245 billion globally, according to UNECA figures cited by Ecofin Agency in June 2026.
What is the Africa Quantum Consortium?
A continent-wide coordination platform for quantum science, education, innovation and policy, reported as launched in August 2025.
Is Brazil building a quantum computer?
Brazilian outlets report plans for two quantum computers in Paraiba under a national initiative. Dates and details are not confirmed here.
Is QNT linked to these programs?
No. QNT is independent. This is not financial advice.
Keep reading
- The Global Quantum Race: What Governments Are Saying and Spending
A plain English tour of how the US, China, the EU, the UK, India and Japan treat quantum computing as national strategy in 2026. - How to Follow Quantum News Without Getting Fooled by Hype
The best primary sources, trade outlets and habits for tracking quantum computing news, plus red flags for exaggerated claims. - The Quantum Internet and Quantum Networks Explained
What is a quantum internet? Learn how quantum networks send entangled qubits, what quantum repeaters do, and how this differs from today's internet. - How to Try a Quantum Computer Online
You can run real quantum circuits from your browser. Here is a beginner guide to cloud quantum access, simulators, free tiers and what to try first.
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