SA takes a quantum leap through UKZN

SOUTH Africa is staking its claim as a continental leader in the second quantum revolution with the launch of the Centre for Quantum Computing and Technology (CQCtec) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Officially opened yesterday, the centre was established in June to foster multidisciplinary research and build local expertise in quantum technology.

Led by Professor Thomas Konrad, CQCtec aims to advance research in quantum computing, communication, and sensing, enabling breakthroughs across cybersecurity, healthcare, logistics, and finance. “Quantum computing promises processing power that could solve problems in seconds that would take classical computers millions of years,” Konrad explained.

He described the Centre as a place where ordinary people could make extraordinary discoveries. “We will write software to optimise logistics, production lines, and scientific problems that need optimisation, and optimisation problems are basically everywhere.” The Centre is already assisting a German gearbox producer with a problem that could only be solved through quantum computing, he said.

Konrad, who also coordinates the African Quantum Alliance (AfriQA)—a network developing Africa’s first quantum computing capabilities—traced the roots of the technology. The first quantum revolution, he said, centred on discoveries like the transistor, which revolutionised electronics and enabled modern computers, as well as nuclear power and the nuclear bomb. “Now we have the second quantum revolution, which started with the control of single atoms, electrons, and photons. And that is even more powerful because you can use it for sensing,” he said.

Quantum communication is another breakthrough. “If you encode information into atoms or photons and send them to someone else, no one can copy it. Classical information can be transferred and copied, but quantum information follows different rules—and cannot be copied.” This has major implications for encryption and secure banking.

CQCtec plans to develop its own quantum devices and commercialise them, creating jobs and building a local industry. “Quantum technology is entering a phase where we can control individual atoms, electrons, and photons,” Konrad said. “This allows for unprecedented precision in measurements, secure communication, and computational power that classical computers cannot match.”

The Centre has already signed an agreement with Swiss-based ID Quantique (IDQ), the first company to exploit quantum physics for data security. Co-founder Dr Grégoire Ribordy highlighted the potential of quantum computing for drug discovery, optimisation problems, and machine learning; but warned it could also render current cryptography obsolete. “Today we use mathematics to protect information because some problems take too long for classical computers. Tomorrow, quantum computers will solve them almost instantly,” he said.

CQCtec is part of the South African Quantum Technologies Initiative (SAQuTI), the country’s first coordinated national strategy for quantum technology, with nodes at four other universities. Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, said the Centre would help build a local quantum economy and place South Africa—and the continent—on the global map. “We would like to see startups, spin-offs, high-tech factories, and quantum coding teams bringing in wealth,” she said. “This will create jobs and generate exports while benefiting health, security, finance, environmental monitoring, manufacturing, transport, logistics, and drug discovery.”

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research at UKZN, Professor Anil Chuturgoon, emphasised the Centre’s role as a training hub. “It will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure, including quantum processors, simulators, and advanced data analysis platforms, empowering researchers and students to push the boundaries of what is possible,” he said. The Centre will equip the next generation of quantum scientists not only with technical skills but also with the critical thinking and creativity essential for pioneering innovations.