Minister of Communications Inaugurates Baghdad Digital Data Center in Major Step Toward Digital Sovereignty

Baghdad – Minister of Communications Eng. Mustafa Sanad inaugurated the Ministry’s Baghdad Digital Data Center on Thursday, 5 November 2026, marking a strategic step toward strengthening Iraq’s digital sovereignty and developing its national communications and information technology infrastructure.

During the opening ceremony, Sanad stated that the facility operates in accordance with international standards and will provide services to both the public and private sectors. It will also offer a secure local environment for hosting digital platforms, applications, and projects developed by Iraqi companies, entrepreneurs, and young technology professionals.

The Minister explained that digital sovereignty is based on keeping national data, systems, and digital operations within Iraq and managing them through domestic infrastructure and Iraqi expertise. This approach enhances information security while reducing reliance on overseas data centres and external cloud infrastructure.

The facility is the first data centre operated by the Ministry of Communications in accordance with international Tier III requirements. It has received certifications covering its design and construction, while the Ministry is working to complete the relevant operational standards.

Part of the centre will be dedicated to commercial services and local data hosting, with additional capacity allocated to supporting developers, technology start-ups, and innovative Iraqi projects. This will help emerging businesses overcome the financial, technical, and security challenges associated with hosting their applications outside the country.

Sanad noted that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and electronic gaming is driving global demand for advanced data centres. He emphasised that the opening sends a clear message to international companies that Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces are ready to host investment in this strategic sector.

The centre is connected to the internet network and infrastructure of the General Company for Communications and Informatics – ITPC. The project was completed in cooperation with Enkido, a Nokia partner, and Vertiv, while incorporating Nokia technologies within its connectivity and infrastructure systems.

The inauguration of the Baghdad Digital Data Center represents an important milestone in Iraq’s journey toward a digital economy, national cloud services, artificial intelligence adoption, and government digital transformation. It also opens new opportunities for international partnerships and investment in Iraq’s growing data centre market.

This achievement aligns with the mission of ITEX IRAQ to bring government institutions, global technology leaders, investors, and innovators together on one platform—showcasing the projects and solutions shaping Iraq’s digital infrastructure and strengthening its position within the regional and global technology economy.