The Central Bank of Iraq’s Basra branch held preliminary meetings with banking associations, banks and electronic payment firms to agree implementation mechanisms for the 2026 financial inclusion programme, which is set to launch soon under the theme “Financial health… individuals’ pathway towards sustainable and more stable financial inclusion”. Discussions centred on strengthening financial literacy and widening financial inclusion to reach different segments of society, with a focus on citizens in Iraq’s southern areas. A second meeting in Basra brought together managers from state-owned and private banks and electronic payment companies, with representatives from 32 banks and five payment firms. The Central Bank’s approach includes ongoing follow-up and supervisory mechanisms for the annual programme and the formation of field audit and monitoring teams to support implementation and encourage competition among banks in service and product delivery. The programme is expected to begin shortly, with monitoring and field follow-up underpinning implementation.
Central Bank of Iraq 2026-04-14
Central Bank of Iraq convenes Basra banks and payment firms to prepare rollout of the 2026 financial inclusion programme
The Central Bank of Iraq’s Basra branch held preliminary meetings with banking associations, banks and electronic payment firms to agree implementation mechanisms for the 2026 financial inclusion programme, focused on financial literacy and expanding access in southern Iraq. The programme will be supported by ongoing supervisory mechanisms, including field audit and monitoring teams, to oversee annual implementation and foster competition among banks in service and product delivery.