Piloting the Quantum Economy Blueprint Lessons from Saudi Arabia 2026

STRATEGIC LESSON 2 Expanding access to quantum hardware and infrastructure The blueprint highlights access to quantum hardware, materials and enabling infrastructure as a critical enabler of national ecosystem development. Given the high cost, technical complexity and geographic concentration of quantum hardware, policy-makers must consider long-term strategies to safeguard reliable access to quantum platforms while balancing domestic capability development with international collaboration. Saudi Arabia’s pilot demonstrated that hardware access influences multiple dimensions of quantum readiness simultaneously. Academic institutions, research centres and industry partners consistently emphasized that access to quantum processors and experimental infrastructure is essential for research productivity, workforce training and algorithm development. The pilot also revealed the importance of early supply chain mapping to understand dependencies across components, materials, fabrication processes and specialized equipment. A significant strategic challenge lies in geopolitical constraints and emerging export controls that may limit hardware availability. High costs and technical barriers further concentrate quantum hardware in a small number of countries and companies, increasing the risk of a widening quantum divide between nations with established quantum infrastructure and those without. Key takeaway: Hardware access is both a technical and strategic consideration. Countries that map hardware dependencies early and develop diversified access strategies – including cloud platforms, international research partnerships and targeted infrastructure investments – can participate meaningfully in the quantum ecosystem even where direct hardware ownership remains limited. STRATEGIC LESSON 3 Bridging the research-to-market gap The blueprint emphasizes the importance of linking research, development and commercialization to unlock the economic value of quantum technologies. Strong innovation ecosystems require collaboration across universities, start-ups, industry partners and government agencies to translate scientific advances into scalable products, services and applications. Saudi Arabia’s pilot revealed that the transition from research to commercial deployment remains one of the most persistent challenges in quantum development. While academic institutions produced strong research activity, investors and industry stakeholders emphasized the need for clearer pathways connecting research outputs to real- world applications. Discussions with industry participants highlighted three recurring conditions for investment: accessible infrastructure, credible government commitment to strategic applications, and demonstrable industry demand. Early engagement from major industry players such as Aramco provided validation and signalled market credibility, helping de- risk quantum investments for other potential adopters. Another insight concerned the importance of structured pathways for university spin-outs and technology transfer, ensuring that research outputs can move towards application through clear intellectual property (IP) frameworks, proof-of- concept funding and industry partnerships. Government leadership plays a catalytic role in this process. When governments actively coordinate, fund and promote the quantum agenda, it signals commitment, lowers perceived investment risk and creates conditions for mission-driven research agendas that connect laboratory advances to real- world applications. Key takeaway: Closing the research-to-market gap requires mission-driven agendas, accessible infrastructure, government co-investment, support for spin-outs and technology transfer, and early industry adoption. Countries that align research with strategic priorities while cultivating industry partnerships are better positioned to capture value from quantum investments. Piloting the Quantum Economy Blueprint 19