Aramco, Pasqal open first commercial quantum cloud service
Aramco's 200-qubit machine is now open to businesses across the region
#SaudiArabia #quantum — Energy giant Aramco, in partnership with France-headquartered neutral-atom quantum computing company Pasqal, has launched the Middle East’s first commercial Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform. Running on Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer installed at Aramco’s data centre in Dhahran, the service gives businesses and researchers across the region and globally cloud-based access to quantum compute.
SO WHAT? — Operational quantum computers that external organisations can actually access remain extraordinarily rare. Most quantum systems in the world sit behind closed doors inside national laboratories or the R&D divisions of a handful of large technology companies. The QCaaS platform breaks down this barrier for organisations in the Middle East, allowing any business or research institution to connect to a 200-qubit neutral-atom quantum processor in Dhahran. The secure cloud platform offers immediate, low-latency access to real quantum hardware, making it possible for researchers and developers to create quantum solutions that address complex computational challenges.
Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer system now provides the Middle East’s first commercial Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform, developed by Aramco and neutral-atom quantum computing company Pasqal. Housed at Aramco’s Dhahran data centre, the system controls 200 programmable qubits and has entered active operation following an initial deployment in November 2025.
The Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS) platform is the first of its kind in the Middle East, giving businesses, universities and research institutions remote cloud access to the quantum hardware via a secure, low-latency platform. The service is being made available for users both regionally and globally.
Workforce development forms part of Aramco’s quantum computing programme, helping to build a quantum workforce for Saudi Arabia.
Aramco is the foundational customer for Pasqal, working through a structured roadmap of industrial use cases where quantum-hybrid approaches go beyond what classical computing can deliver. Active workstreams include port logistics optimisation, CO₂ storage optimisation, well placement, and rig scheduling.
Aramco’s domestic venture capital arm Wa’ed Ventures first invested in Pasqal in January 2023, making this partnership the result of a multi-year strategic bet on quantum technology rather than a one-off procurement decision.
Pasqal’s client list includes Thales, CMA CGM, OVHcloud, Sumitomo, and IBM, with Pasqal part of the IBM Quantum Network. The Aramco deployment adds a major energy sector anchor to that portfolio.
Pasqal was founded in 2019 and has built its technology on Nobel Prize-winning research in neutral-atom physics. The company employs over 275 people, serves more than 25 clients and partners, and has raised over $500 million in funding.
Pasqal is pursuing a Nasdaq listing through a partnership with New York-based special purpose acquisition company Bleichroeder Acquisition Corp. II, a move that would give the quantum firm access to US public markets as it scales.
Abu Dhabi-based Technology Innovation Institute (TII) launched a quantum computing cloud service in February enables users to run quantum workloads directly on TII’s quantum system. However, the service is currently limited to TII partners, although opening up wider access is planned for a later date.
ZOOM OUT — In November 2025, Aramco and Pasqal quietly made history by completing the physical deployment of the quantum system at Aramco’s data centre in Dhahran. The system is the first neutral-atom quantum computer in the Middle East, and the first in the region dedicated to industrial applications. The quantum computer can control 200 qubits arranged in programmable two-dimensional arrays, allowing researchers to explor advanced quantum algorithms and real-world use cases relevant to industrial operations. This week’s QCaaS platform launch moves Aramco’s main quantum project into active commercial operations.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about quantum computing in the Middle East:
TII launches region’s first quantum computing cloud service (Middle East AI News)
TII integrates quantum middleware with NVIDIA platform (Middle East AI News)
Aramco, Nvidia develop quantum computing emulator (Middle East AI News)
Dubai RTA actively explores Quantum transport solutions (Middle East AI News)
Saudi scientists break Quantum security speed records (Middle East AI News)