Iraq Business News brings you the latest Iraq banking & finance news, with information on developments and opportunities.
By John Lee. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched its SME finance and development programmes in Iraq, including the rollout of its flagship Star Venture initiative for high-potential startups. An official event in Baghdad marked the launch, outlining the Bank's strategic priorities and planned projects to strengthen the country's small and medium-sized […]
By John Lee. Rafidain Bank recorded more than IQD 841 billion (approximately USD 641.98 million) in electronic collection settlements on behalf of government entities during January 2026, reflecting continued expansion of digital payment systems. The bank said a total of 73,226 electronic settlements were processed the month, indicating growing adoption of digital collection services. It […]
By John Lee. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has launched the e-Psule platform, a unified digital system for issuing government payment receipts, as part of efforts to modernise public financial services and reduce reliance on cash-based and paper processes. The platform has been officially approved by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) and is designed […]
By John Lee. S&P Global Ratings has affirmed its 'B-' long-term and 'B' short-term foreign and local currency sovereign credit ratings on Iraq. "The outlook is stable," it added. More details, including economic stats, here. (Source: S&P Global Ratings)
By John Lee. Recent media reports have flagged up the growing gap between the official dinar exchange rate and its value in the informal market - see here and here. In his latest monthly investment report for Iraq Business News, Ahmed Tabaqchali attributes the fall in the dinar to the behaviour of certain importers following […]
By Ahmed Tabaqchali, Chief Strategist of AFC Iraq Fund. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. "Equity Market Discounts Regional Tensions" The market, as measured by the Rabee Securities U.S. Dollar Equity Index (RSISX USD Index), was down 0.9% for the month, on […]
From Shafaq. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Liquidity shortfall freezes lending at Iraq's state banks Government lending programs remained suspended on Thursday as Iraq's state-owned banks, most notably Rafidain Bank and Rasheed Bank, continued to halt advances and loans due to […]
By John Lee. Discussions were held on supporting monetary and economic stability and strengthening strategic cooperation between Iraq and the United States. The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), Ali Mohsen Ismail Al-Alaq, met the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Iraq, Joshua Harris, on Thursday, to review prospects for enhancing […]
From Shafaq. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Dollar rises in Baghdad and Erbil The US dollar closed Thursday's trading higher in Iraq, hovering around 150,000 dinars per 100 dollars. Click here to read the full article. See also: US Reaffirms Support […]
By John Lee. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has so far issued loans worth IQD 6 billion (approximately USD 4.6 million) to support the purchase of solar energy systems, while expecting demand to increase during 2026. Speaking to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), Rafel Hussein, Director of Initiatives at the CBI, said the […]
The following were the ten most read dinar-related articles on Iraq Business News for the month of January: 2026: The Year Iraqi Dinar Speculators Finally Strike Gold? Iraqi Dinar "Plummets Against Dollar" One Year of Trump: Iraqi Dinar Speculators Still Waiting Donald Trump and the "Great Iraqi Dinar Revaluation" The Iraqi Dinar Revaluation Deception: 10 […]
By John Lee. The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers has held the first meeting of the committee supporting women's economic empowerment in the agricultural and environmental sectors. The committee was formed under Diwani Order No. 89 of 2025. The meeting took place at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. The Deputy […]
