King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), represented by the National Center for Quantum Technologies (NCQT), has signed a research collaboration agreement with Pasqal, a global leader in neutral-atom quantum computing, to advance research and development across multiple domains of advanced quantum technology and enhance quantum cryptography readiness in Saudi Arabia. 

The agreement was announced during a ceremony held at King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh during World Quantum Day.

The agreement marks the latest milestone in Pasqal's rapidly expanding presence in Saudi Arabia as the company deepens partnerships across the Kingdom's research, government and industrial sectors. 

The announcement comes as Pasqal CEO Dr Wasiq Bokhari prepares to deliver a keynote address in Riyadh at LEAP 2026, one of the world's leading technology events, highlighting the company's growing role in supporting Saudi Arabia's ambitions to become a global hub for advanced technologies.

Under the agreement, Pasqal's neutral-atom quantum processing technology and cloud services will be paired with KACST's national research infrastructure to develop and validate quantum-safe cryptographic solutions. The work will be carried out at KACST's National Center for Quantum Technologies, with quantum cryptography serving as the first focus area of a broader multi-year research program.

As quantum computing capabilities continue to advance globally, organizations across government, financial services and critical infrastructure face increasing pressure to prepare for a post-quantum future. Through the collaboration, KACST and Pasqal expect to develop, test and package quantum-safe cryptographic solutions, with the shared objective of ultimately bringing commercial offerings to the Saudi market.

Dr. Talal Al-Sedairy, Senior Vice President for R&D at KACST, said: "This agreement reflects KACST's commitment to building strategic research partnerships with global technology leaders, supporting the development of national capabilities, and translating scientific research in quantum technologies into impactful future applications."

Prof Manahel Thabet, Director of the National Center for Quantum Technologies, said: "This partnership represents an important step toward building an advanced national quantum ecosystem. It enables our researchers to conduct joint research across diverse quantum domains, leveraging world-class infrastructure and international expertise to elevate the Kingdom's research capacity and global standing in this strategic field."

The collaboration builds on a period of significant momentum for Pasqal in Saudi Arabia. In May, together with Aramco, Pasqal inaugurated Saudi Arabia's first quantum computer at Aramco's data center in Dhahran, alongside the Middle East's first commercial Quantum Computing-as-a-Service platform. More recently, Pasqal and Eleven Ventures announced plans to establish a joint venture focused on deploying, commercializing and scaling quantum computing systems across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.

The company's growing engagement in the Kingdom has also included a recent visit by a senior Saudi ministerial delegation, led by Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, to Pasqal's headquarters and quantum computer production facility in France. Together, these developments underscore Pasqal's expanding contribution to Saudi Arabia's quantum ecosystem, spanning research, infrastructure, industrial applications and workforce development.

Dr Wasiq Bokhari, CEO of Pasqal, said: "This initiative builds on Saudi Arabia's growing investment in quantum technologies and demonstrates Pasqal's continued deep engagement and commitment to the Kingdom regarding the development and utilization of quantum technologies."

"Saudi Arabia is demonstrating a remarkable ambition to build the technologies and capabilities that will shape the next generation of computing. For Pasqal, our work in the Kingdom goes well beyond deploying quantum hardware. We want to build long-term partnerships, develop practical applications and contribute to an ecosystem capable of turning quantum computing into real industrial and economic value."

As part of that ongoing commitment, Dr Bokhari will deliver a keynote address today at LEAP 2026, where he will discuss the transition of quantum computing from scientific research toward industrial-scale applications and the growing role quantum technologies can play in supporting economic growth and innovation. – TradeArabia News Service