Updates
Over the last two weeks we had amazing meetings with smooth and interactive conversations, new attendees, and great discussions. Firstly, we had a moment to reflect on how our Africa quantum tech community is coming up. Here is an overview of what OneQuantum is all about in case you joined us later on after the launch party
…and this is why we started the OneQuantum Africa chapter.
I receive a lot of feedback and we will be implementing some changes as we go. One immediate change you will get to notice is that our meetings are going to be slightly longer from now on—45-60 minutes.
Remember you can submit your feedback and influence how we build this community here.
This past week we had a great session that spilled beyond an hour with Amira Abbas, Quantum Research Advocate at IBM and PhD researcher in quantum computing at UKZN who shared about her quantum journey (slide deck here) and a special guest Junye Huang, Quantum Developer Advocate at IBM Quantum & Qiskit who joined us to unpack the IBM Quantum Challenge. We shared a lot of lessons and insights about quantum computing, machine learning, community building, careers in quantum, likely quantum use cases in Africa and how quantum startups in Africa can leverage on our unique challenges as a continent.
In the coming weeks, in no particular order, we will hear from Phumzile Madonsela, Data Scientist Trainee at African Bank, Lorraine Majiri, Information Technology student at Chinhoyi University of Technology and Sahar Ben Rached, Master's candidate in Nanotechnology and a Quantum Computing Enthusiast.
Our meetings happen every Wednesday at 1500hrs SAST and if you would like to share on any particular dates then let me know via the feedback form.
Our next event will be on November 11 at 1500hrs SAST and you can JOIN here.
Join us for the cocktail party which comes soon after our meeting and its a great opportunity to make new friends. Make sure you sign up.
News & Ideas
Further to our discussion during the meeting on quantum computing applications in finance here is a deeper dive.
Credit risk analysis using a quantum computer
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1907.03044.pdfSouth Africa’s premier provider of electronic communications network services in the broadcasting and communications industry, Sentech has teamed up with Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct to create a Hackathon where you stand to win a share of R200,000 in prize money and the opportunity to work with Sentech in further development.
This may be a good opportunity to introduce quantum communication and quantum key distribution and if you are interested and want us to help you set-up a team then get in touch with me on farai@estrapadus.com ASAP.
There is an opportunity for a telecommunications operator or startup to join Europe’s OpenQKD project and help operate use-cases to evaluate performance of existing quantum communication technologies in testbeds. Get in touch with us to learn more.
If you are an early- and growth-stage technology company with innovative solutions for financial institutions and insurance companies and have a solution that can be tested and deployed this may be a good opportunity for you.
Here is a good proposal of a quantum computing reading list. Thanks to Muhammad Hamid and Andre.
Black women have created new businesses at a rapid clip, far outpacing other racial and ethnic groups and then Covid19 happened. Hang in there my colleagues. Connect with other Women in Quantum here and find support.
Talking of our Women in Quantum chapter, the third summit is around the corner and it will be awesome and free, so please spread the news and reserve your spot here. We are still finalizing the speakers and we would love to hear from you if you want to speak or suggest someone.
Weekly Quantum World Detangled S2E8 - Whurley. This was a beautiful conversation. Enjoy.
Signing off
If you are working on a quantum tech idea and need help in terms of business and funding or you are an investor interested to learn about the quantum tech ecosystem or even a business looking for a way to get started in quantum or require HPC services then talk to us and check out our free data here.
Looking forward to your feedback as always.
See you at www.onequantum.org for more networking, exchanging, and collaborating.
Farai
(President, OneQuantum Africa)