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Iraqs Zaincash

Can ZainCash evolve from Iraq's leading mobile wallet into a full-stack digital financial services platform — adding lending, insurance, and investment — for a predominantly underbanked Iraqi population?

Founded2015
HQBaghdad, Iraq (Al-Khadraa District, Area 631, Street 10, House 129)
FoundersYazen Altimimi
IndustryFintech / SMB banking
The story

Founded in 2015 as Iraq's first licensed mobile wallet under the Central Bank of Iraq, ZainCash initially focused on basic payment services — cash-in/out via agents, bill payments, and domestic transfers — for an underbanked population. It expanded into international remittances via Western Union and virtual/physical Visa card products, growing its agent network to over 10,000 locations. In 2024, ZainCash went live with Temenos core banking to support a platform shift from pure payments into broader digital financial services. By 2025, the company was actively planning a move into micro-lending, BNPL, embedded insurance, and investment services — signaling a strategic evolution from wallet provider to full-stack digital financial services company for the Iraqi market.

Last 12 months
2024-05
2025-03
2025-07
Product timeline
2015
ZainCash incorporated in Iraq as Iraq Wallet Company; licensed by the Central Bank of Iraq under license number 1 on 22/12/2015.· banking
2016
ZainCash mobile wallet formally launched, offering cash-in/cash-out via agents, local money transfer, bill payment, and mobile recharge.· banking
2019
Awarded 'Telecom Lead Innovation' award; expanded agent network to over 10,000 locations across Iraq.· pivot
2020
Nominated for 'Best Mobile Innovation Supporting Emergency' by GSMA, reflecting growth during COVID-19 period.· pivot
2023
ZainCash selected to implement Temenos core banking and payments platform to power rapid scaling.· banking
2024
ZainCash went live with Temenos core banking and payments; processed over 35 million transactions; reached 1.2 million+ app downloads.· banking
2025
Ranked #11 on Forbes Middle East Fintech 50; announced plans to launch instant micro-lending, BNPL, and trading services; signed strategic agreement with Solidarity – First Insurance for embedded insurance.· lending
Regulated entities
Electronic Payment License
Iraq (Central Bank of Iraq) · 2015
Iraq Wallet Company for e-Payment via internet and Mobile (ZainCash)
The stack
Payments / PSP
ZainCash Payment Gateway (self-operated)Western Union (international remittance integration)
Banking / BaaS
Temenos (core banking platform)
Ledger
Temenos
Lending
Micro-lending (planned 2025)BNPL / Buy Now Pay Later (planned 2025)Insurance installment plans up to 12 months (via Solidarity partnership)
FX & payouts
Western Union
Accounting
Odoo (third-party community module: payment_zaincash)
Accounting gap: significant