Including Palestinians in Iraq in SuperQi Services… A Step Worth Moving from Announcement to Implementation

On August 27, 2026, the Embassy of the State of Palestine in the Republic of Iraq announced the success of its efforts, carried out in cooperation and coordination with the Central Bank of Iraq, which resulted in including members of the Palestinian community and Palestinian refugees residing in Iraq in the services of the SuperQi application.

The step is significant beyond simply making an electronic payment application available to a new segment of users. It represents a practical application of the concept of financial inclusion in Iraq and aligns with the country’s efforts to expand the use of digital financial services and reduce reliance on cash transactions.

However, following the successful coordination efforts, the most important step remains: moving toward actual implementation and enabling beneficiaries to use SuperQi services clearly, easily, and in accordance with approved regulations.

 Why SuperQi Specifically?

SuperQi is one of the digital platforms within Iraq’s Qi Card ecosystem, bringing together a range of payment and digital financial services in a single application, including electronic payments, money transfers, bill payments, mobile top-ups, QR payments, and other services.

From this perspective, making Qi Card’s digital services available to Palestinians residing in Iraq does not simply mean adding new users to an application. Rather, it means integrating a new segment into Iraq’s electronic payments ecosystem and strengthening its connection to the digital economy.

This is where the importance of the step for Iraq itself becomes clear.

Financial Inclusion That Benefits Both Iraq and Its Users

Palestinians residing in Iraq are part of the country’s daily economic activity. They purchase goods, make payments, pay bills, and use various services.

When these transactions shift from cash to electronic payments through mobile phones and digital wallets, the beneficiary is not only the individual user, but the Iraqi economy as a whole.

Expanding the user base of digital wallets in Iraq means:

·     Increasing reliance on electronic payments instead of cash.

·     Expanding the scope of financial inclusion.

·     Supporting the growth of the digital economy.

·     Increasing the use of FinTech services.

·     Enhancing the efficiency of the digital payments ecosystem.

·     Giving new segments access to formal financial services.

These objectives are consistent with the direction of the Central Bank of Iraq and its national strategy for financial inclusion and the transition toward a less cash-dependent economy.

 From Successful Coordination to Successful Implementation

The statement issued by the Embassy of the State of Palestine confirms that its coordination efforts resulted in the inclusion of members of the Palestinian community in SuperQi services. The Embassy also expressed its appreciation to the Central Bank of Iraq, Qi Card, and the technical and administrative teams that contributed to completing the process.

Therefore, the current stage appears to be more about completing the implementation procedures than starting a new discussion.

What is now needed is a clear mechanism through which Palestinians residing in Iraq, in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements, can access and use SuperQi and Qi Card services without unnecessary complications.

The real success of any digital financial inclusion initiative is not measured merely by its announcement, but by the number of people who can actually use the service.

 Why Does This Step Deserve the Central Bank’s Attention?

Because the success of this initiative could provide a practical example of what financial inclusion means in Iraq.

The Central Bank does not need to add a new objective to its strategy. Instead, through this step, it can demonstrate that financial inclusion objectives are being translated into tangible measures that reach different segments of society.

Expanding the user base of electronic payments, digital wallets, QR payments, and mobile financial services also contributes to building a more active digital market and strengthening Iraq’s position in the FinTech sector.

Therefore, completing the process of enabling Palestinians to access SuperQi services could represent a practical and relatively rapid step within the broader digital transformation led by the Central Bank.

 The Decision Awaiting Implementation

This is not about granting a special privilege or bypassing regulatory requirements. Rather, it is about establishing a clear pathway that allows individuals who meet the applicable requirements to benefit from the digital financial services available in Iraq.

The relevant authorities have already begun an important phase of coordination.

Therefore, completing the implementation would send an even stronger message that financial inclusion in Iraq encompasses all segments capable of integrating into the formal financial system, and that the transition from cash to electronic payments is not merely a slogan, but a daily practice.

In this context, enabling Palestinians residing in Iraq to use SuperQi could transform a positive announcement into a successful model of digital financial inclusion.

Every new user who enters the electronic payments ecosystem represents another step toward a more digital, more inclusive Iraqi economy that is less dependent on cash.