Pasqal, a neutral-atom quantum computing company, is expanding its presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and as part of these plans it has signed a research collaboration agreement to advance research and development across multiple domains of advanced quantum technology and enhance quantum cryptography readiness in Saudi Arabia with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), represented by the National Center for Quantum Technologies (NCQT).
In a press release, Pasqal explained that 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. KACST and Pasqal aim to develop, test and package quantum-safe cryptographic solutions, with the shared objective of ultimately bringing commercial offerings to the Saudi market.
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 agreement was announced during a ceremony held at King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh during World Quantum Day, in the run up to Pasqal CEO Dr. Wasiq Bokhari’s keynote address in Riyadh at LEAP 2026.
“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,” said Dr. Bokhari. “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.”
“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,” said Dr. Talal Al-Sedairy, Senior Vice President – R&D, KACST.
Prof. Manahel Thabet, Director, 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.”
Readers would recall that Pasqal has already been collaborating with another Saudi major, Aramco. 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.
A senior Saudi ministerial delegation, led by His Excellency Abdullah Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, also visited Pasqal’s headquarters and quantum computer production facility in France recently.
The KACST collaboration forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s research, development and innovation ecosystem in quantum technologies, expand international scientific collaborations and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.