Iraq has launched a new initiative to promote innovation, start-ups, and smart city development, officials confirmed on Thursday. The Smart Cities Iraq program integrates technology into urban planning while creating new employment opportunities.
Prime Minister’s Advisor for Artificial Intelligence and Communications, Hassan Al-Khatib, announced the initiative, involving 12 major Iraqi universities. He explained that the program will establish incubators to nurture start-ups and support student and faculty-led business ideas.
“These incubators will focus on technology and business management, generating jobs under the sponsorship of the Prime Minister’s Office,” Al-Khatib stated. Furthermore, the Iraq Development Fund will provide financial backing for the initiative.
The program also encourages private sector investors to fund, support, and scale promising start-ups across the country. Al-Khatib emphasized that the initiative will build a strong nucleus for start-up financing, partnerships, and long-term innovation in Iraq.
In addition to university-based support, authorities plan to implement smart city solutions across municipalities. For example, Al-Mansour Municipality will host a pilot project focused on traffic control, parking management, garage organization, and waste collection.
“The pilot project demonstrates how technology can improve municipal services, enhance citizen mobility, and streamline daily transactions,” he said. Officials plan to expand the program to other municipalities after evaluating initial results.
Experts noted that combining university-led incubators with municipal smart city projects will transform Iraq’s technology ecosystem. Moreover, it aligns urban services with global digital trends and creates new career paths for young Iraqis.
The Smart Cities Iraq initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to modernize infrastructure, strengthen technology adoption, and foster innovation. Officials emphasized that public-private cooperation is essential for the program’s success.
Looking ahead, authorities will monitor incubator progress, track start-up performance, and measure improvements in municipal operations. Overall, the program aims to serve as a model for expanding smart city solutions nationwide.
