SDG Digital Finance Ecosystem Assessment Iraq - 2024

The report provides the first country-wide application of the UNDP/UNCDF SDFE methodology in Iraq (100+ indicators; desk research; 15+ KIIs). It benchmarks policy, infrastructure, innovation and skills; profiles the FinTech landscape; and measures SDG-alignment, digital inclusiveness and women’s inclusiveness. Key quantitative results Digital economy score 45 % → startup stage Digital finance ecosystem 33 % → startup stage SDG-alignment 10 % → inception stage Digital inclusiveness 34 % (incl. women 34 %) Infrastructure sub-score 55 %; policy & regulation 62 %; innovation 25 %; skills 37 % Priority recommendations (three streams) Expand agent banking – tiered KYC, new agent regulation, ANM model, consumer-protection tools. Build an interoperable, inclusive FinTech ecosystem – MM regulation, CBI/CMC alliance, National Committee, G2P choice, National Switch integration. Foster innovation – CBI-led hub, open data, SDG-linked products (digital credit, savings), national digital-finance vision. The matrix in Section 2 ranks 28 actions by effort/impact and gives a sequenced roadmap (<1 yr, 1-3 yrs, >3 yrs).