Pasqal, KACST Partner on Quantum Cryptography in Saudi Arabia
During World Quantum Day at the King Salman Science Oasis in Riyadh, neutral-atom company Pasqal and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) announced a multi-year research collaboration agreement. Quantum cryptography is the initial focus area, and both parties expressed a long-term goal of developing commercial offerings for the Saudi market.
Details of the Agreement
According to the August 31 press release, KACST’s National Center for Quantum Technologies and Pasqal have signed an agreement to combine Pasqal’s neutral-atom processing technology and cloud services with KACST’s research infrastructure. This collaboration aims to develop and test what both organizations describe as quantum-safe cryptographic solutions. The research will take place at the National Center for Quantum Technologies, with quantum cryptography as the first area of study.
The term “quantum-safe cryptography” has several interpretations, and the press release doesn’t specify which meaning applies here. It could refer to post-quantum cryptography, which involves classical algorithms standardized by NIST as FIPS 203, 204, and 205.
Alternatively, it might refer to quantum key distribution, a hardware and optics-dependent technology. Another possibility is the use of a quantum computer to investigate cryptographic problems. As the parties plan to “develop, test and package” solutions, no specific approach or standard has been formally committed to yet.
Prof. Manahel Thabet, director of the National Center for Quantum Technologies, characterized the partnership as follows:
“This partnership represents an important step toward building an advanced national quantum ecosystem.”
Pasqal’s Wider Saudi Engagements
This agreement is part of Pasqal’s expanding activities in Saudi Arabia. In May, Pasqal and Aramco launched what they described as Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer at Aramco’s Dhahran data center, alongside a Quantum Computing-as-a-Service platform for the region. Subsequently, Pasqal and Eleven Ventures announced plans for a joint venture to deploy and commercialize quantum systems across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region.
A high-level Saudi ministerial delegation, led by Communications and Information Technology Minister Abdullah Alswaha, recently visited Pasqal’s headquarters and production facility in France. Furthermore, Pasqal CEO Wasiq Bokhari is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at LEAP 2026 in Riyadh. Pasqal’s processors, according to the company, utilize optical tweezers to control neutral atoms and can operate with up to a few hundred qubits. The success of the cryptography program in yielding usable results is contingent on work that has not yet commenced.