Iraq’s big new opportunity

Iraq’s big new opportunity

The world’s perception of Iraq is one that frequently portrays a war-torn country, devastated by conflict and corruption. But amid the decades of turmoil, the country’s youth have stayed resilient, facing a future they themselves wish to build. Relying on public sector jobs therefore is no longer realistic and many are pursuing entrepreneurship as a means of not only self-empowerment, but economic development too.

Wider segments of the society are beginning to understand the value of entrepreneurship, especially now after the pandemic, which has highlighted the need for greater digitisation. Over the past few years startups have begun to emerge, focused mostly on the business-to-consumer sector including e-commerce, online food and grocery delivery as well as digital payment solutions.

With a population that exceeds 40 million, of whom half are under the age of 19 according to the United Nations (UN), rising mobile internet penetration rates and a lack of online services, Iraq’s market is ripe for disruption.