Neutral-atom quantum hardware vendor Pasqal (Nasdaq: PSQL) and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) have signed a strategic research collaboration agreement to advance quantum technology R&D and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) readiness across the Kingdom. Executed via KACST’s National Center for Quantum Technologies (NCQT), the multi-year research program pairs Pasqal’s quantum processing architectures and cloud platform with Saudi national research infrastructure.
| [ Pasqal & KACST Quantum Collaboration Overview ] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Focus Areas | National Infrastructure Integration | Commercialization Pathway |
| • Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) | • National Center for Quantum Technologies (NCQT) | • Joint Venture with Eleven Ventures |
| • Quantum-Secure Key Generation | • KACST Central R&D Facilities (Riyadh) | • Enterprise PQC Solutions for Saudi Market |
| • Cross-Domain Quantum Algorithms | • Integration with Aramco Quantum Compute Hub | • Vision 2030 Deep-Tech Alignment |
Validating Post-Quantum Encryption and National Capabilities
As quantum hardware scales toward fault tolerance, critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and government networks face mounting pressure to transition toward quantum-resistant encryption. The collaboration will design, test, and package cryptographic algorithms resilient against quantum-enabled decryption attacks:
- Cryptographic Key Generation: Developing robust encryption keys for classical and quantum computing environments, managed directly at the NCQT facility in Riyadh.
- Research Ecosystem Integration: Led by Dr. Talal Al-Sedairy (Senior VP for R&D at KACST) and Prof. Manahel Thabet (Director of NCQT), the program connects Saudi researchers directly to Pasqal’s hardware and cloud execution pipelines.
- Regional MENA Expansion: Builds upon Pasqal’s existing regional milestones, including the deployment of a neutral-atom quantum computer at Saudi Aramco’s Dhahran data center and plans with Eleven Ventures to establish a MENA-focused commercial joint venture.
Strategic Alignment with LEAP 2026 and Vision 2030
The agreement was announced in Riyadh during a ceremony at the King Salman Science Oasis, timed alongside a keynote address by Pasqal CEO Dr. Wasiq Bokhari at LEAP 2026. The initiative directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives by converting academic quantum research into commercial offerings for the Middle Eastern market.
Review official press releases via Pasqal here and the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) here.
August 31, 2026
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