Payment methods in Iraq

Asia

7methods

3banks

Cash remains the dominant payment method, but mobile wallets are gaining traction particularly among younger and urban populations.

Market takeaways

Cash remains the dominant payment method, but mobile wallets are gaining traction particularly among younger and urban populations.
The Central Bank of Iraq has licensed multiple e-payment providers as part of a broader financial inclusion agenda.
Telecom-linked wallets such as Zain Cash and AsiaHawala serve users who lack traditional bank accounts.
NassWallet has processed over $1 billion in transactions and distributes aid via biometric payments, demonstrating scale in the humanitarian sector.
International card acceptance is limited outside major hotels and tourist areas; local payment rails are critical for digital commerce.

Population

~42M

Online population

~25M

Banked population

~23%

Payment method breakdown

Market data coming soon.

Card scheme breakdown

Market data coming soon.

Cross-border e-commerce

Market data coming soon.

Featured payment methods in Iraq

Popular options based on coverage and prominence in this market.

Qi Card

Qi Card is Iraq's largest electronic payment and card provider, used for salaries, pensions and everyday transactions, with a SuperQi app enabling online payments. Operator: International Smart Card (ISC). Est. users: 16 million+ individuals (2024).

Zain Cash

Zain Cash is a Central Bank-authorised mobile-money wallet in Iraq and Jordan offering online payments, transfers, virtual Visa/Mastercard and bill payment. Operator: Iraq Wallet (Zain Group). Est. users: Millions of transactions monthly (2024).

First Iraqi Bank

First Iraqi Bank offers a mobile banking solution with local and international payment gateways. Merchants can onboard via contractual agreements to accept online card payments. It represents the more traditional banking channel for digital commerce in Iraq, complementing the wallet-based ecosystem.

AsiaHawala

AsiaHawala is Iraq's first mobile money service, offering stored-value accounts for money transfers, bill payments and online shopping. It draws on the cultural familiarity with hawala-style transfers while providing a regulated electronic alternative. The service operates through an agent network spread across Iraqi cities.

NeoPay

NeoPay is a fintech app that issues both virtual and physical prepaid cards, enabling users to shop online and in stores. The platform processed approximately $400 million in 2023, demonstrating rapid growth in Iraq's emerging digital payments sector.

NassWallet

NassWallet is a mobile wallet that has processed over $1 billion in transactions and is notable for distributing humanitarian aid via biometric payments. It serves both retail consumers and organisations requiring scalable, verifiable disbursement infrastructure, making it one of the most significant payment platforms in Iraq by transaction volume.