The latest news from Baghdad – security updates, business, construction projects and more – brought to you by Iraq Business News
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has laid the foundation stone for a major upgrade at the Dora [Doura] Thermal Power Plant in Baghdad, including the rehabilitation of two existing thermal units (2 x 160 MW) and the installation of two new units (2 x 160 MW), adding a total of 640 MW […]
By John Lee. The US State Department has announced the end of Ordered Departure Status for personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, effective July 17, 2025. Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce (pictured) stated that personnel who had been temporarily relocated outside Iraq will begin a phased return to their […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani has underscored the importance of ensuring that new residential cities meet the needs of citizens, during a site visit to the under-construction Al-Jawahiri City (pictured), west of Baghdad. The Prime Minister inspected the project, launched in December 2023, as part of his government's housing initiative. He […]
By John Lee. The Ministry of Transport has released air traffic statistics for June, highlighting a notable increase in civil aviation activity across Iraq's airports. According to the General Company for Air Navigation Services, Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) recorded the highest volume of arriving and departing flights. In total, 10,812 transit flights crossed Iraqi airspace […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has opened two overpasses in the Tobji area of Baghdad's Karkh district, as part of the first phase of infrastructure works aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital. The project, implemented under the Ministry of Construction and Housing's traffic decongestion plan, is one of 16 such […]
By John Lee. Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has directed the completion of all procedural requirements for the Baghdad Metro project under a revised implementation framework. During a high-level meeting on Sunday with the Head of the Iraq Development Fund, the Mayor of Baghdad, and the Prime Minister's Advisor, the PM reviewed a new strategic […]
By John Lee. As part of government efforts to diversify Iraq's energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the National Investment Commission (NIC) has awarded four major investment licences in the renewable energy sector during 2025. NIC Chairman Dr. Haider Mohammed Makkia [Makiyya] re-announced the licences on Wednesday, noting their alignment with Iraq's National […]
By John Lee. In a coordinated effort with the Ministry of Health, Iraq's National Investment Commission (NIC) has launched a pioneering initiative to equip health centres with solar power systems, marking a step toward expanding investment in critical public service sectors and accelerating the country's shift to renewable energy. The initiative was announced on Wednesday, […]
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired a meeting on Wednesday of the High Committee overseeing the New Al-Sadr City Project in Tuzai, issuing directives to implement all infrastructure components alongside the residential construction phases. The meeting reviewed progress following the launch of service infrastructure works and examined the most efficient economic […]
By John Lee. The World Bank approved on Wednesday a US$930 million [approx. IQD 1.2 trillion] loan for Iraq to modernise its railway network, strengthen domestic and regional trade, and support economic diversification. The Iraq Railways Extension and Modernization (IREM) Project will upgrade the 1,047-km railway line connecting Umm Qasr Port in the south to […]
By John Lee. Netaj -- a Baghdad-based innovation firm that offers venture support, strategic consulting, and capability-building for entrepreneurs and institutions -- has announced the official launch of Nawat, which it describes as the country's first-ever Venture Capital (VC) Studio. According to a press release, Nawat is designed to identify, support, and invest in high-potential […]
By John Lee. The QS World University Rankings has listed 10 Iraqi universities in its 2026 (sic) ranking. Highest rated was the University of Baghdad, which was ranked in the range 741-750th worldwide. Next came Al Nahrain University in Baghdad, ranked in the range 951-1000. Two Iraqi universities -- Mustansiriyah University (Baghdad) and the University of […]
