Jordan Hosts First Quantum Computing Forum as Central Bank Advances Post-Quantum Encryption Roadmap

Dedicated National Forum: Jordan Today Center for Development and Asfar Consulting convene the inaugural Jordan Quantum Computing Technology Forum in Amman with more than 50 sector experts.Financial Sector Readiness: Central Bank of Jordan issues a sectoral roadmap guiding banks toward quantum-resistant encryption amid rising computational risks.Academic Milestone: University of Jordan receives approval for a Master’s program in Quantum Computing, among the first dedicated programs of its kind in Jordan and the Arab region, with admissions set for the 2026/2027 academic year.The Jordan Today Center for Development (JTCD), in cooperation with Asfar Consulting and Training, held the first dedicated national Jordan Quantum Computing Technology Forum on August 5, 2026, in Amman. The event brought together more than 50 experts from banking, technology, and economic sectors to examine the foundations of quantum computing, its applications across industries, future prospects, and associated challenges. JTCD Director General Mohammad Al-Faqir positioned the forum as preparation for the next wave of technological advancement linked to quantum information processing. Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan Khaldoun Washah highlighted both the strategic potential of the technology in financial modeling and the need to address risks to existing encryption systems, citing the bank’s recently issued sectoral roadmap for transition to quantum-resistant encryption.Discussions at the forum covered the physical foundations and scientific principles of quantum computing, its rapid development trajectory, and current and prospective applications in economic, political, legal, scientific, and medical domains. Nader Qahoush, Director General of Asfar Consulting and Training, noted the technology’s wide-ranging impact and the importance of examining both opportunities and challenges from multiple perspectives.Washah underscored the technology’s potential future applications in areas such as investment portfolio management, macroeconomic forecasting, financial stress-testing models, and innovation in financial services. At the same time, he warned that cryptographically relevant quantum computers could challenge current encryption methods protecting financial transactions and sensitive data.

The Central Bank of Jordan sectoral roadmap, issued in January 2026, provides a phased framework for the financial and banking sectors. Key elements include integrating quantum-related risks into institutional risk registers, enhancing governance, inventorying cryptographic assets, prioritizing transitions according to risk assessments, conducting pilot tests of quantum-resistant solutions in non-operational environments, and executing a full transition within a defined timeline while maintaining business continuity.These steps align with broader international efforts to prepare financial infrastructure for post-quantum cryptography standards. The roadmap emphasizes coordination among regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers to support long-term stability and trust in Jordan’s financial system.In parallel with policy measures, Jordan is expanding educational capacity. In June 2026 the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research approved a Master’s Program in Quantum Computing at the University of Jordan School of Science (Department of Physics), offered in partnership with the King Abdullah II School of Information Technology. The program is among the first dedicated master’s programs in quantum computing in Jordan and the Arab region and is scheduled to begin admissions for the 2026/2027 academic year. The curriculum aims to prepare specialists capable of applying quantum computing across academia, healthcare, industry, and research.Earlier awareness activities have included events on quantum computing theory and applications organized with the Petra School of Physics, the Higher Council for Science and Technology, the University of Jordan, and Yarmouk University. Orange Jordan has conducted university sessions covering quantum computing alongside artificial intelligence, with emphasis on potential uses in drug discovery, logistics, and data analysis. A research group at the University of Jordan focuses on next-generation cryptography, post-quantum security, and related privacy challenges. Students from Princess Sumaya University for Technology previously placed first in a quantum machine learning track of an international quantum computing hackathon.Table: Key Observations of Where Quantum Computing Stands in the RegionRegionally, Gulf states have advanced further on hardware and commercialization. Saudi Aramco and Pasqal inaugurated Saudi Arabia’s first quantum computer in May 2026, a neutral-atom system with on the order of hundreds of programmable qubits supporting one of the region’s first commercial quantum computing as a service platforms.

The United Arab Emirates has introduced national initiatives promoting quantum-resistant cryptography for government and critical sectors and is advancing domestic superconducting hardware development through the Technology Innovation Institute under the Advanced Technology Research Council, alongside national post-quantum migration tools and quantum key distribution initiatives. Qatar has piloted quantum-safe communications, including quantum key distribution (QKD), and hosted regional quantum technology events. See the above table for key observations of where quantum computing stands in the region.Jordan’s current activities center on awareness, talent development, and financial-sector cryptographic readiness. These steps position the country to engage with the broader regional acceleration in quantum technologies while addressing near-term security requirements for its banking and digital infrastructure.Jordan’s inaugural quantum forum and post-quantum encryption roadmap signal early national preparation alongside expanding academic capacity in a region gaining quantum competitiveness.Find out more here.—Further articles, reports, and the latest quantum computing news may be found at The Qubit Report.D-Wave Quantum Inc. has published peer-reviewed research in Nature demonstrating a high-fidelity two-qubit entangling gate for its superconducting dual-rail architecture. The gate achieves approximately 99.9% Israel’s National AI Directorate and Finance Ministry have launched Project Nexus, a tender to establish a national “Blue and White” quantum computing platform as an Hefei-based Unitary Quantum, China’s only pure-play QCCD trapped-ion company, has raised several hundred million yuan in Series A financing led by Shenzhen Capital Group. The Sign up to receive our newsletter and other reports.We keep your data private and share your data only with third parties that make this service possible. Read our privacy policy for more info.Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.