DR Angela Tabiri, Ghana’s celebrated ‘Maths Queen’, has made history as the first African to win The Big Internet Math Off, a prestigious international contest celebrating mathematical brilliance.
Her victory is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a breakthrough moment for African women in STEM, challenging long-held stereotypes and proving that mathematics isn’t just a ‘man’s subject.’
A battle of the world’s top mathematicians
The Big Internet Math Off is an annual competition run by The Aperiodical, a UK-based mathematics blog. It brings together 16 of the world’s most engaging mathematicians, who compete in a series of head-to-head rounds, explaining complex mathematical ideas in the most compelling way.
The contest, which started in 2018, allows the public to vote for their favourite contestant at each stage, leading up to the grand final. Previous winners include Dr Nira Chamberlain, a renowned British mathematician and the first Black person included in Who’s Who for his contributions to the field.
Dr Tabiri’s passion for quantum algebra, a complex branch of mathematics that underpins quantum computing, helped her captivate voters and secure her place in history.
A passion for maths and a mission to inspire
Despite her love for numbers, Dr Tabiri’s journey into mathematics was far from straightforward.
Growing up in Ashaiman, a densely populated neighbourhood in Ghana’s industrial hub of Tema, she initially aspired to study business administration like her older sisters. However, her university placement led her into mathematics and economics—a choice she later realised was ‘a blessing in disguise.’
‘I loved puzzles and numbers, but I never thought I could make a career out of it,’ she recalls.
In 2015, she won a scholarship to pursue a PhD in mathematics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. It was there that she had a life-changing moment after watching Hidden Figures, the Hollywood film about Black female mathematicians at NASA.
‘It was incredible to see the stories of these brilliant Black women finally told on a global stage,’ says Dr Tabiri. ‘Katherine Johnson’s resilience inspired me to keep pushing forward,’ she tells the BBC.
Breaking barriers for women in STEM
Dr Tabiri is not just making waves in mathematics—she’s actively paving the way for future generations of African women in STEM.
She is the Academic Manager for the Girls in Mathematical Sciences Programme (GMSP) at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Ghana, where she mentors and supports young women in the field.
The programme, launched in 2020, aims to create a pipeline of female mathematicians by providing training, mentorship, and research opportunities.
‘The numbers of boys and girls studying maths in high school are almost equal,’ Dr Tabiri explains. ‘But at the university level, the number of girls drops significantly.’
One major reason is the misconception that a maths degree only leads to teaching, discouraging many young women from pursuing it further. ‘There are very few female role models in the field, and many girls just don’t see themselves in these careers,’ she says.
To counter this, she founded FemAfricMaths, a non-profit initiative that provides free lessons for high school students and features online interviews with leading female mathematicians from around the world.
Putting Africa on the quantum science map
Beyond education, Dr Tabiri is also a strong advocate for quantum science and technology, a field set to revolutionise computing, medicine, and cybersecurity.
She played a key role in Ghana’s successful bid to have 2025 declared the UN International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, marking the 100th anniversary of modern quantum mechanics.
Quantum mechanics, the study of ultra-small particles, has led to breakthroughs in the internet, solar panels, GPS technology, and advanced computing.
Now, global tech giants and governments—from the US and China to Australia and South Africa—are investing heavily in quantum research, hoping to develop ultra-fast computers, unbreakable encryption, and next-generation sensors.
Preparing Africa for the quantum revolution
Dr Tabiri believes that Africa’s youth must be equipped with the skills needed to compete in this fast-evolving field.
To achieve this, she is organising a Quantum Road Show, an initiative aimed at introducing schoolchildren to quantum science at a much earlier stage than she was exposed to it.
‘We want young people to start building the necessary skills from an early age so they can participate in this global technological shift,’ she explains.
Additionally, in July 2024, Dr Tabiri will collaborate with UNESCO to host a Quantum Hackathon at AIMS-Ghana, bringing together 40 postgraduate students from across Africa to work on real-world quantum computing challenges.
Africa’s Workforce of the Future
Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, and by 2040, it is expected to have the largest workforce on the planet.
‘But that doesn’t guarantee that we will get the jobs,’ warns Dr Tabiri. ‘We need to be prepared with the right skills.’
Her work is about more than just teaching maths—it’s about ensuring that African students, especially young women, have access to the opportunities of tomorrow.
A role model for the next generation
Dr Tabiri’s journey—from a curious child in Ashaiman to an award-winning mathematician shaping the future of African science—proves that STEM careers are not limited by gender or geography.
Her message to young African girls is simple: ‘Mathematics is for you. Science is for you. Dream big and never stop learning.’
With her groundbreaking win at The Big Internet Math Off, her tireless advocacy for women in STEM, and her vision for Africa’s role in the quantum revolution, Dr Angela Tabiri is not just a Maths Queen—she’s a trailblazer shaping the future.
