Recoding quantum culture, continentally.

Farai Mazhandu is the Founder of the Africa Quantum Consortium and a Physics Instructor at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics in the United States of America. With a background spanning education, infrastructure and emerging technologies, Mazhandu brings a unique perspective on how key players can shape inclusive quantum policy and ecosystem development, regionally and internationally. In the first part of this interview, he explores the global quantum talent gap, the importance of early education and how grassroots innovation is reshaping the learning ecosystem, especially in Africa.

This interview was conducted by Jesse Samasuwo (Senior Policy Manager, Apolitical) and edited by Rui Yi Ang (BSc in Politics and Philosophy, LSE and Communications Intern, Apolitical).

Understanding the quantum talent gap

Samsuwo: How do you see the landscape of quantum talent today? Are there enough individuals with the skill and expertise to drive the development of quantum technology?

Mazhandu: Right now, we don’t have enough quantum talent. The skill base just isn’t there yet. But what we do have is a superpower: young, hungry, forward-looking people ready to learn and build from the ground up.

Quantum starts with physics—and to be honest, there just aren’t enough physicists out there, especially in areas like condensed matter. That’s a real bottleneck. But the good news is, we now have the tools to grow this talent. Platforms like Qiskit are game-changers—they create learning content, run summer schools, give people access to real quantum computers, and open the doors wide.

Then you’ve got community-driven efforts like the Africa Quantum Consortium, making sure the best materials actually reach people—and get adapted to local needs. That’s what it takes.

At the end of the day, this is true for any field—whether it’s doctors, astronauts, or lawyers. If people are given the right tools and support, they can learn anything. Quantum’s no different.

Samasuwo: Why do you think these talent shortages exist, and how is the quantum industry navigating these limitations?

Mazhandu: The talent gap in quantum is real—but it’s not surprising. Quantum is a new field, much like AI was just a few years ago. At its core, the challenge comes down to physics, which many people find difficult or inaccessible. Adding quantum on top of that changes how we think entirely. It’s not just learning new facts; it’s about seeing the world differently. Take wave-particle duality: it’s not that it’s illogical, but it doesn’t follow the everyday rules we’re used to. Or superposition—things aren’t either this or that; they can be both at once. That kind of thinking takes mental flexibility, something most of us haven’t been trained to develop yet.

That’s why we have to start teaching these ideas early—catch them young, and everything begins to change. As long as quantum remains “weird” in everyday conversation—because we try to explain it through classical ideas—we’re still far from understanding it. The UNESCO International Year of Quantum is a good first step to spark broad societal awareness and education. If we keep the conversation alive and growing, we’re on the path to rapid progress in the field.

Community-driven pathways into quantum

Samasuwo: Do you believe that universities and research institutions are developing the necessary programs to promote this unique approach?

Mazhandu: Some universities are stepping up—but most aren’t there yet. The truth is, education moves slow. A lot of teachers stick to what they know, and systems resist change. But the pressure to evolve is building—and technology is forcing that shift.

This isn’t just about quantum. It’s about the collision of science, tech, and education—and how people now learn through new channels, not just the classroom. Across Africa, we’re seeing professors take the lead without waiting for permission. They're starting clubs, running workshops, and teaching informally. That grassroots energy is how Africa’s gotten this far.

Communities like QWorld show the model in action. People attend events, get inspired, then bring that energy back—hosting their own workshops, mentoring others, and spreading quantum knowledge no matter their background. Math major or history student—it doesn’t matter. Once exposed, they start asking the right questions and chasing the right paths. That’s how the talent pipeline grows.

Eventually, demand forces institutions to catch up. It might be hard to get ministries to push change from the top, but when enough students start asking, “Why don’t we have a quantum program here?”, things shift. And honestly—if there’s a professor already doing quantum research and building community, what’s stopping us from formalising it into a degree program? The talent and motivation are there. We just need to let it happen.

Samasuwo: How have research universities and private technology companies historically worked together to cultivate talent that meets employer demand?

Mazhandu: In the U.S., there seems to be a well-oiled system that links universities and tech companies: students train for careers, companies hire graduates, and strong networks keep education aligned with industry needs—a cycle refined since classical computing days.

Companies invest in research to stay ahead, shaping the talent pipeline and driving universities to adapt. Ongoing collaboration keeps industry and academia moving forward together.

Africa must build its own R&D models rooted in local realities. Innovation and leadership demand a strong bridge between education, research, and industry. While governments should enable this ecosystem, private industry can—and must—lead by reshaping research priorities to develop the skills needed to compete globally.

For example, Africa’s fintech giants are already creating innovation hubs and partnering directly with universities to launch specialised training, bypassing slow government processes and rapidly equipping talent with cutting-edge skills. Given the rapid pace of tech growth, we can’t afford to lose time—experimenting with diverse models is urgent.

**Samasuwo: Do you think there are certain environments better suited for cultivating the kind of intelligence needed for quantum computing? **

Mazhandu: Yes, absolutely—real change begins at school, from the ground up. Gen Z is growing up in a world where technology ignites their curiosity like never before. Classrooms must evolve to be truly inclusive—especially for marginalised groups like girls—creating spaces where every student feels they belong, can ask questions without fear, and are recognised for their potential. Teachers play a crucial role by modelling vulnerability, showing that it’s okay to struggle and learn at your own pace. This humanises education and builds the confidence needed to tackle complex, unfamiliar ideas.

Barriers are breaking down, and we’re entering a global network where geography matters less in determining what skills you can develop, where you can go, and what you can achieve.

Education itself is evolving. Learning is no longer confined to classrooms—technology, smartphones, the internet, AI, and online tutors mean people can access knowledge from anywhere. This shift is helping people rethink how they learn and understand—even concepts that seem counterintuitive become more approachable when you have a flexible mindset willing to embrace new realities.

At the same time, this change highlights the long-standing disparities between those with access to better resources and those without.

Growing interest in the quantum workforce

Samasuwo: Given that quantum technology is still in its early stages, how does this impact the incentives for people to pursue a career in this field?

Mazhandu: There’s definitely interest—people are eager to prepare for the careers of the future because everything else feels like history. The moment a new job opportunity arises, someone is already chasing it. Traditionally, many of these roles have required advanced education, but rapid technological growth is creating a wider range of roles—technicians, engineers, product managers, business experts, and those with essential soft skills.

Learning from the past, people want to stay ahead. There’s broad recognition that the world is shifting, and new skills and ways of thinking are needed. Being ahead of this curve matters to many.

Quantum technology also fascinates people because of its deeper, philosophical questions. It’s a conversation starter, sparking curiosity about how the universe truly works.

Career paths in quantum are still emerging. When I talk to middle and high school students, they’re captivated by the possibilities but unsure where these jobs currently exist—or where they will in the future. The roadmap to quantum careers isn’t clear yet, but the technology landscape is evolving rapidly.

This uncertainty isn’t unique to quantum—it’s common in any new field. It’s a chicken-and-egg problem: you need a foundation, but you also need people to build that foundation. When there are no professionals in a field, few are willing to enter it. That’s why we need more pioneers stepping in now to grow the quantum ecosystem.

**Samasuwo: Are you concerned that the focus on AI could distort the STEM talent pool and divert education and training away from quantum technology? **

Mazhandu: Not at all. In fact, AI and quantum are converging faster than many expect. Look at NVIDIA—they’re already integrating quantum processing units into future data centres. The rapid growth of AI is, overall, a good thing because it encourages more people to develop skills in tech-related fields. Many of these people might later become interested in quantum computing and learn those techniques naturally. AI depends heavily on classical computing technologies like supercomputers and high-performance computing systems. However, AI is reaching the limits of what these current technologies can do. To go beyond those limits, researchers will need to explore new approaches—quantum computing being a key one. This opens exciting new possibilities for the future.

This interview is part of a series of expert perspectives on key quantum computing issues for policymakers. Learn about quantum computing in more depth, register for a place on upcoming cohorts of our course: Quantum Computing: Understanding the Technology and its Implications, developed in collaboration with Google Quantum AI.

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