The department of Computer Engineering, in cooperation with NassWallet and Accounting department, have organizing a workshop on the topic entitled: “Payment Landscape in Iraq and Kurdistan”, The workshop took place on Wednesday, 30th of March, 2022 at 11:00 AM in Education Building Hall 302. The workshop was presented by Mr. Bayar Shahab, a Business Development Manager at NassWallet Digital Banking. Mr. Bayar has received his PhD. from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy, is an entrepreneur with 7+ years of experience in the Banking and FinTech industry and has carried out and provided technical consultancy, training delivery, and project management for several organizations and businesses.

The workshop aim was to tap on the growth in digital payment and e-commerce, driven by mobile payment solutions, the issues and challenges facing the shift, and the promising future of cashless payment.

The workshop sessions delved into the following topics:

  • Iraq market insight and Iraq market banking and financial insights.
  • Payment methods and Payment methods provides(PSPs).
  • Banking and fintech issues and challenges and National banking and Fintech switch of CBI.
  • Choosing the right payment method.
  • Mobile money/eWallet Payment for your personal and business.
  • Entities involved in eWallet Business.
  • Mobile money services.

The first session highlighted the payment Industry in IRAQ and the increasing growth it has witnessed within the past few years, with a relatively higher number of bank account holders, eWallets, ATMs, banks, POSs, and financial institutions. The central bank of IRAQ involvement was also highlighted in terms of the encouragement for more financial inclusion in the country and the gradual mindset change and acceptance among Iraqi people towards the banking and finance sector. The second session covered an array of topics, including but not limited to, a general insight on Iraq’s banking and financial system, available payment service providers, payment methods, issues and challenges in banking and financial services, financial inclusion, role and responsibilities of the central bank, mobile money payment service providers.

The department of Computer Engineering extends its gratitude and appreciation to the Mr. Bayar Shahab for the beneficial workshop and looks forward to expanding its cooperation with NassWallet.