Etihad Salam Joins KACST-Led Consortium to Advance Saudi Arabia's Quantum Future

Strategic Partnership for Quantum Advancement

Etihad Salam, a prominent provider of secure digital infrastructure and advanced communication technologies, has officially joined the Saudi Arabia Quantum Network Consortium (SQNC). This strategic partnership, led by the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) through its Saudi Research & Innovation Network, MAEEN, aims to accelerate the development of quantum-secure communication networks across the Kingdom. The announcement was made on November 2, 2025, during International Internet Day celebrations hosted at KACST.

The consortium brings together a powerful coalition of global and regional technology leaders, including Microsoft, Cisco, and Cyberani, a subsidiary of Aramco Digital. This collaboration spans expertise in software, network hardware, connectivity, and cybersecurity, laying the foundation for a resilient and quantum-safe digital future for Saudi Arabia.

Building a Quantum-Safe Digital Infrastructure

Etihad Salam's involvement in the SQNC is crucial for establishing a robust and secure digital environment. The company will contribute to the consortium's mandate to catalyze and incubate innovation across several key areas:

• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
• Advanced encryption protocols
• Development of a comprehensive quantum communications infrastructure

These efforts are vital for protecting sensitive data, enabling trusted connectivity, and future-proofing national infrastructure against emerging quantum threats. Ahmed al Anqari, CEO of Etihad Salam, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, 'Our partnership with the Saudi Quantum Network Consortium marks a transformative step in realizing the Kingdom's quantum ambitions. By harnessing the combined strengths of global innovators and national institutions, we are building the infrastructure that will secure Saudi Arabia's digital sovereignty.'

Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030

This initiative is a direct embodiment of Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom's ambitious strategic plan for technological leadership, economic diversification, and the development of a knowledge-based society. By fostering collaboration across academia, industry, and government, the SQNC is transforming Saudi Arabia from a nascent quantum landscape into a mature ecosystem, attracting talent, driving innovation, and catalyzing regional and global partnerships.

Saudi Arabia is proactively investing in post-quantum cryptography and quantum-safe networks, ensuring its readiness to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The Kingdom's broader commitment to quantum technology also includes initiatives such as the establishment of a 'Quantum Valley' by KACST, Aramco, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), in partnership with companies like IBM and Pasqal, to operate the first quantum computer in the Kingdom.