Applied Quantum Computing for Ghanaian Industry

Abstract

While fault-tolerant quantum computers are still on the horizon, the current era of Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices offers a unique opportunity for nations like Ghana to engage with and benefit from the quantum revolution. This Masters in Computer Science research proposal outlines a framework for applying hybrid quantum-classical algorithms to solve combinatorial optimization problems that are critical to Ghana's key economic sectors. The research will focus on developing and benchmarking quantum-enhanced solutions for logistics and finance, demonstrating the potential for "quantum advantage" on problems of national importance and helping to build a quantum-ready workforce in Ghana.

Key Research Questions for Quantum in Ghana

1. Problem-to-Hamiltonian Mapping: What are the most effective methods to map real-world optimization problems from Ghanaian industry (e.g., cocoa supply chain, mobile money liquidity) into the mathematical formulations (Ising Hamiltonians) required by quantum algorithms like QAOA and VQE?
2. Performance on NISQ Hardware: How does the performance of hybrid quantum algorithms, when executed on today's noisy quantum computers, compare to state-of-the-art classical heuristics for problems of a scale and complexity relevant to Ghana? This involves rigorous benchmarking and noise-mitigation techniques.
3. Data-Driven Quantum Optimization: How can we effectively integrate real-time, classical data streams into a quantum optimization workflow? For instance, how can a quantum logistics model adapt to changing road conditions or crop yields in Ghana?
4. Quantum Software Abstraction: How can we build a software layer that abstracts the complexity of the underlying quantum hardware, enabling Ghanaian domain experts (e.g., logistics managers, financial analysts) to benefit from quantum optimization without needing to be quantum physicists?

Proposed Masters in Computer Science Research: Quantum Optimization for Ghana's Cocoa Supply Chain

The primary focus of this thesis will be the development and rigorous analysis of a hybrid quantum-classical solution for the Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP) within Ghana's cocoa supply chain. This problem is of immense economic significance and is known to be NP-hard, making it an ideal candidate for exploring potential quantum advantage.

Methods:

• Problem Modeling: In collaboration with industry partners (e.g., a Licensed Buying Company), model a sub-region of Ghana's cocoa network as a graph. The objective will be to minimize a complex cost function including travel distance, fuel costs, and time-dependent constraints related to crop collection deadlines.
• Algorithm Implementation: Implement the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) to solve this problem. This will involve designing the problem Hamiltonian and the variational quantum circuit. A key part of the research will be to develop novel mixing operators for QAOA that are more efficient for constrained optimization problems.
• Execution on Cloud Quantum Computers: The algorithm will be executed on publicly available, cloud-based quantum computers (e.g., from IBM, Rigetti, or IonQ) via their software development kits (e.g., Qiskit).
• Benchmarking and Noise Mitigation: The performance of the QAOA solution will be compared against leading classical solvers (e.g., Gurobi) and metaheuristics. Advanced error mitigation techniques will be applied to improve the quality of results from the noisy quantum hardware.

Expected Outcomes and Impact for Ghana

This research will provide one of the first concrete benchmarks for the application of quantum computing to a real-world logistics problem in Africa. A successful project will result in: (1) A high-quality, open-source software library for modeling Ghanaian supply chain problems for quantum computers. (2) A rigorous assessment of the current state of "quantum advantage" for this problem class. (3) A training framework and case study that can be used to build a quantum computing curriculum at Ghanaian universities. By tackling a problem of national importance, this work will serve as a catalyst, demonstrating to both government and industry in Ghana that the quantum future is not something to wait for, but something to actively build.