Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Evening 9-18-25

Central Bank: 6.8 Trillion Dinars In Electronic Collections In 2025

Banks  Economy News – Baghdad  The Central Bank of Iraq revealed that the total government electronic collections through points of sale (POS) during the first eight months of 2025 exceeded six trillion dinars, while the number of employee payroll cards exceeded five million.

The Director General of the Information Technology and Payments Department at the Central Bank of Iraq, Adnan Asaad, said in an interview with Al-Sabah, followed by Al-Eqtisad News:

“The volume of government electronic collections through points of sale so far has reached more than 6.8 trillion dinars in the first eight months of this year,” expecting that “it will exceed 10 trillion dinars by the end of this year, while last year it amounted to about 9 trillion dinars, while collections from gas stations exceeded 750 billion dinars, after it was 465 billion dinars last year.”

He added, "Total government e-collection through various payment instruments has reached approximately 2.1 trillion dinars, while last year it reached approximately 322 billion dinars," noting that "49 ministries and agencies have approved the deployment of e-payment instruments in more than 6,600 formations."

Asaad continued, "The number of domiciled employee cards has reached approximately 5.6 million, while the value of the use of electronic payment systems for real-time settlement has exceeded 200 trillion dinars. Automated clearing has exceeded 35 trillion dinars, and the national switchboard has recorded approximately 20 trillion dinars."

The bank's Director General of Information Technology and Payments explained that "these figures for 2025 reflect the continued expansion in the adoption of electronic payment channels and the development of its infrastructure, in line with the Central Bank's strategic directions and the government's national plans to enhance financial inclusion and digital transformation in Iraq." 09/17/2025   https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60147

Trade Bank Of Iraq Launches Direct Delivery Service For Electronic Cards

Banks  Economy News – Baghdad  The Trade Bank of Iraq announced today, Thursday, the launch of a direct delivery service for electronic cards.

A statement from the bank, received by Al-Eqtisad News, stated that "to facilitate customers, it has been decided to activate the direct delivery service for electronic cards."

The bank added, "We announce the activation of the electronic card delivery service in Baghdad and all governorates to ensure their safe and timely arrival." https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60184

Electronic Payment In Iraq: Major Strides, Challenges Ahead

Banks   Iraq is witnessing rapid transformations in the structure of its financial systems, with increasing reliance on electronic payment methods instead of direct cash transactions. This transition is not merely a technical update; it represents a fundamental step toward building a more transparent economy capable of keeping pace with changes in regional and global markets.

From Cash To Card

The Central Bank of Iraq's recent announcement that the number of domiciled employee cards has reached 5.6 million clearly indicates the depth of the ongoing transformation. After years of near-total reliance on cash, large segments of Iraqis—employees and retirees alike—now rely on electronic cards as their primary means of receiving their salaries and conducting transactions.

This step represents a qualitative shift in a country that has long been a prisoner of cash liquidity, with large salaries paid in cash, straining the banking system and increasing security and economic risks.

Leadership And The Role Of Local Companies

Among the companies that pioneered this transformation, Qi Card emerged as the first electronic payments company in Iraq, laying the foundation for a national experience in financial technology. The company launched with a basic service, payroll localization, but has gradually transformed into a major player providing multiple payment and financing services.

Despite the challenges it faced operating in a challenging environment, K-Card's presence helped boost users' confidence in digital services and provided access to groups in villages and rural areas, making electronic payments a part of daily life for a growing segment of Iraqis.

Expansion Of Services

The development did not stop at issuing cards, but included the introduction of services such as:

Biometric update to ensure accuracy of user data.

Electronic advance systems that provide urgent liquidity.

Installment services in universities, hospitals and retail stores.

Point of sale (POS) devices are widespread in markets and shops.

These services have enhanced the added value of the electronic payment sector and connected consumers more deeply to the formal financial system.

User Experience...The Most Important Indicator

The decisive factor in the success of electronic payments was not the number of cards but rather user satisfaction. Employees or retirees who once had to wait hours in bank lines are now able to receive their salary via card quickly and securely.

This user experience has directly impacted the service's popularity. The smoother the process, the higher the uptake. However, challenges still exist in some areas due to poor communications infrastructure or a lack of financial awareness.

Private Sector And Government Orientation

The widespread adoption of electronic payment is not limited to government employees. The government has adopted a clear policy to deploy point-of-sale (POS) devices in various markets, including the private sector, to expand the user base and reduce cash transactions.

Payment companies have responded to this policy by offering cards and services that operate both inside and outside Iraq, giving consumers greater flexibility and putting Iraq on the path to integration into the global financial system.

Figures And Facts

The number of electronic payment cards in Iraq has exceeded 12 million cards.

Thousands of POS devices are now widespread in the market.

A large segment of universities and institutions now rely on digital installment systems.

These figures reflect the magnitude of the change, but they also indicate the extent of the work required to secure infrastructure and update legislation.

New Technology And Applications

With the growing demand for digital solutions, applications like SuperKey have emerged, combining payments, transfers, and government services into a single platform.

These applications not only facilitate financial transactions, but also offer a practical model for integration between the public and private sectors, through services such as paying water and electricity bills or paying government fees electronically.

Challenges That Cannot Be Ignored

Despite these successes, the sector faces a number of challenges, most notably:

Lack of financial awareness among some users, which hinders full access to services.

Internet services are intermittent in some areas, limiting operational stability.

The need for more flexible legislation to keep pace with the development of financial technology.

Competing with traditional banks that still maintain a portion of their cash share.

Towards An Integrated Digital Economy

The success of electronic payment goes beyond facilitating transactions; it also serves as a tool for combating corruption, reducing tax evasion, and promoting financial inclusion. The data generated from millions of transactions represents a wealth of information that can help decision-makers formulate more accurate economic policies.

Iraq's e-payment experience is a growing success story, but it still requires strengthening its infrastructure, developing legislative frameworks, and intensifying financial literacy programs. Between the regulatory role of the Central Bank, investments by local companies like Qi Card, and government efforts to expand the sector, a clear path is taking shape toward a digital economy that could be one of the most prominent features of Iraq's economic development over the next decade. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60186

New Drop In Gold Prices In Baghdad

Stock Exchange  Economy News – Baghdad   Iraqi and foreign gold prices fell slightly on Thursday in local markets in the capital, Baghdad.

Gold prices in the wholesale markets on Al-Nahr Street in the capital, Baghdad, this morning recorded a selling price of one mithqal of 21 karat Gulf, Turkish and European gold at 736 thousand dinars, and a purchase price of 732 thousand dinars, while yesterday, Wednesday, it recorded 738 thousand dinars.

The selling price of one mithqal of 21-karat Iraqi gold reached 706,000 dinars, and the buying price was 702,000 dinars.

As for gold prices in jewelers' shops, the selling price of a mithqal of 21-karat Gulf gold ranges between 740,000 and 750,000 dinars, while the selling price of a mithqal of Iraqi gold ranges between 710,000 and 720,000 dinars.     https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60185

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com