Blog
Notes on strategy, telecom, and building things in Iraq.
A Big Weekend for Iraq's Startup Scene
A packed weekend for entrepreneurship in Baghdad — from Arab Bank's AB Xelerate accelerator to an Endeavor Jordan delegation and a panel on how regional investment funds see Iraqi startups.
Eye on the South: Fiber and the Digital Economy in Basra
At Tafa3ul Hub's "Eye on the South" conference in Basra — why fiber-to-the-home is a foundation for Iraq's digital economy, and how FiberX is building it out in the south.
Iraq E-Gaming Expo: The Economics of Games
Baghdad's E-Gaming Expo treated games as an economy — development, market size, and the jobs and revenue the sector could open for Iraqi youth.
Raqami: Fighting Digital Illiteracy in Iraq
More than 20% of Iraqis can't read or write — so digital literacy needs video, not just leaflets. How Raqami reached over 1.5 million people in three months.
Iraq as a Regional Telecom Hub
Data is the new transit trade. At IGF Iraq, a panel on whether Iraq's geography can make it a regional telecom hub — submarine cables, the Development Road, and what the ministry, regulator, and operators each need.
Access to Finance for Iraq's SMEs
At the launch of Iraq's SME access-to-finance guide — a joint effort of the EU, GIZ, the Central Bank of Iraq, and the Private Banks Association.
At the WSA Global Congress
Attending the World Summit Awards Global Congress — global digital democracy, equity, AI, and accountability.
How Miswag Moved the Needle on Digital Payments
Before the government mandated digital payments on gasoline, a Visa-powered Black Friday took Miswag from 3% to 11% digital — and what came next with QiCard, BNPL, and SuperQi.
On the WSA Grand Jury in Hyderabad
Five days in Hyderabad on the World Summit Awards Grand Jury — 26 jurors, 24 countries, and a lesson from DEF and Telangana on how committed governments and communities build a digital society.
GIZ Iraq ProDigi: An Ecosystem Retreat in Erbil
GIZ Iraq's ProDigi program gathered 15+ ecosystem-support organizations from five Iraqi cities in Erbil to map the next 2.5 years.
IIEF Slemani: A Turning Point for Iraq's Ecosystem
At the second IIEF in Sulaymaniyah's rehabilitated Tobacco Factory — Baltic lessons, KRG reform announcements, and a real turning point for Iraqi startups.
Mesopotamia Reconnected: Emerging Tech & Conflicts Shaping the Digital Evolution
Iraq’s digital evolution faces challenges amidst political and economic shifts. Despite historical obstacles, the nation embraces digital opportunities, focusing on financial empowerment and government modernisation. However, hurdles like education gaps and regulatory complexities persist. Recommendations stress inclusive policies, infrastructure development, and digital litera
Reintegrating Iraq's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
The closing conference of the "Reintegrating the Iraqi Ecosystem" project — unifying the demand side, optimizing budgets via shared KPIs, and launching the Irada Network.
Aligning Iraq's Ecosystem Stakeholders
The fourth open dialogue bringing Iraq's private sector and international community together to build a better startup-promotion pipeline and access-to-finance supply.
E-Commerce and Iraq's Digital Economy
Presenting at Al-Nahrain Center for Strategic Studies on e-commerce, q-commerce and social commerce — market size, CAGR, and ARPU growth in Iraq's digital economy.
Towards a Cashless Iraq
Moderating "Towards a Cashless Iraq — when and how?" at KAPITA, with the IPBL and SWITCH.
Investing in Startups & SMEs
Moderating "Investing in Startups and SMEs" at The Station — startup funding, entrepreneurship, and government initiatives.
Speaking at the Sulaimani Forum on the Digital Economy
Speaking at the Sulaimani Forum on Iraq's digital economy.
Two New Digital Hubs in Baghdad
Two new Baghdad hubs in 30 days — Computiq's Hub200 and the expanded Makers of Baghdad with Iraq's finest FabLab — adding firepower to the capital's tech communities.
Acquiring, Cards, and a Black Friday Experiment
Why card acquiring never took off in Iraq — and how a Visa + Miswag Black Friday pushed electronic payments from under 2% to 11%.
Iraq's Homegrown Startup Landscape
At Global Entrepreneurship Week — a decade of ecosystem formation, the shift to pre-seed/seed, and why the next 12 months in Iraqi investment will be fascinating.
Baghdad Business School: Bridging Education and the Job Market
Addressing the 2nd cohort of Baghdad Business School — combining academia with market professionals to close the gap between education and employment.
The State of Iraq's Digital Economy (ITLive 2022)
To 4,000+ at ITLive 2022 — e-commerce, q-commerce, fintech, the rise of Gen Z/Alpha, and why Iraq's digital economy is poised for big expansion.
Named to the 2022 Techstars Community All-Stars
Honored to join the inaugural 2022 Class of Techstars Community All-Stars.
Launching Blue Platinum — a MENA-First Multicurrency Card
Launching Blue Platinum from Visa's regional HQ — the first multicurrency platinum prepaid product of its kind in MENA, built for Iraqis, SMEs, and merchants.
Handing Over Iraq's Business Development Manual
After 18 months, the 248-page Business Development Manual was officially handed to Iraq's Ministry of Higher Education — co-authored with GIZ and the EU to help students build MSMEs.
Yanhad Demo Day: Eight New Iraqi Startups
Judging the Demo Day of Yanhad's 2nd edition (EU-funded, by Expertise France & The Station) — 8 business ideas after 4 months of training, from a program that incubated 200+ across Iraq.
Backing Iraq's Creative Economy
On Iraq's creative economy — photography, art, film, and the jobs creative ventures can create.