Flapmax, an AI infrastructure company, through its research and education hub—FAI Institute—today announced a collaboration with IBM to advance quantum science and AI innovation in Ghana.
As part of the initiative, Palm University College will host Ghana’s first quantum-AI summit, held alongside IBM Qiskit Fall Fest, featuring industry keynotes, academic workshops, hands-on quantum computing sessions, and a global virtual hackathon.
“Hosting Ghana’s most comprehensive quantum computing summit reflects the momentum building at Palm University College and within Ghana’s broader education landscape,” said Dr. Peter Carlos Okantey, Founder and President of Palm University College. “Through strong collaborations with institutions like IBM, Intel, and Flapmax, our students now have direct access to quantum tools that can shape entire industries. This is an investment in Ghana’s scientific future and an opportunity for our young innovators to compete globally.”
Advancing Quantum Education During the UN International Year of Quantum Science & Technology
Qiskit Fall Fest, part of the FAST AI Summit: Quantum Computing Ghana 2025 organized by FAI Institute, supports the United Nations International Year of Quantum Science and Technology and advances the Institute’s mission to democratize access to modern scientific tools. Through this initiative, IBM Quantum provides learners with hands-on exposure to quantum programming tools, quantum algorithms, and emerging quantum–AI development workflows.
Palm University College was selected in recognition of Ghana’s historical role in scientific exchange—tracing back to West Africa’s intellectual centers, including the scholarly traditions of Timbuktu—and the University’s growing emphasis on hands-on STEM education, ethical leadership, and innovation. These strengths positioned Palm University College as the natural host for Ghana’s most comprehensive quantum computing summit.
“Flapmax is deeply invested in expanding access to transformative technologies—AI, quantum computing, and high-performance scientific tools—across the continent,” said Dr. Dave Ojika, Founder and CEO of Flapmax. “Our collaboration with IBM and Palm University College accelerates the development of quantum-AI talent capable of advancing frontier research. By providing the platforms, mentorship, and real-world tools needed for breakthrough discovery, this summit strengthens Ghana’s role in the global scientific landscape.”
Positioning Ghana as a Contributor to Frontier Science
Ghana’s potential to shape frontier scientific research is already emerging. In a prior initiative supported by Flapmax and Intel, Palm University College students used quantum tools to model cocoa disease resilience, offering early insights into how quantum simulation could help protect one of the nation’s most vital exports. Similar quantum-AI techniques can also enable:
- Materials discovery for next-generation batteries
- Grid optimization for national energy systems
- Predictive diagnostics and epidemiology in healthcare
- Crop genetics and climate-resilient agriculture
To sustain this momentum, students have launched the Palm University AI & Quantum Computing Club, a peer-led community advancing collaborative research, mentorship, and broader access to quantum and AI education across Accra and beyond.
Driving Hands-On Quantum Innovation in Ghana
IBM selected FAI Institute and Palm University College from a global applicant pool of more than 600 institutions, placing Ghana among the leading nations represented in the top 150 selections and underscoring the country’s growing relevance in the quantum and AI research landscape. The FAST AI Summit: Quantum Computing Ghana will feature an industry keynote by IBM, instructor-led technical workshops, student engagement labs, and an afro-techno social experience—bringing the spirit of scientific exchange from Timbuktu into a new era of quantum innovation.
The hackathon will run in a hybrid format alongside the summit and features challenge tracks in Agriculture, Energy, and Healthcare. Winners will gain access to Flapmax’s hybrid Quantum–AI compute platform (HQAC). All event attendees will receive an official IBM participation certificate.
