Eng. Mustafa Sanad

Minister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Communications – Republic of Iraq

Eng. Mustafa Jabar Sanad is the Minister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq. His current agenda focuses on advancing telecommunications infrastructure, accelerating digital transformation, expanding fiber-optic connectivity and next-generation services, and strengthening Iraq’s role as a regional hub for communications and digital connectivity.

Sessions by this speaker

Ceremony09:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Official Opening Ceremony of ITEX IRAQ 2026 and Its Forums

The official opening ceremony of ITEX IRAQ 2026, bringing together senior government officials, institutional leaders, strategic partners, and industry representatives to launch the exhibition and its main forum programme.

VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP HallPart of

ITEX IRAQ 2026opening ceremonyofficial openinggovernmenttelecommunicationsdigital transformationexhibitionforums

Mr. Ali Falih Al-Zaidi
Prime Minister of Iraq — Office of the Prime Minister
Eng. Mustafa Sanad
Minister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Communications – Republic of Iraq
Dr. Mustafa Nizar Juma Al-Ani
Minister of Trade — Ministry of Trade – Republic of Iraq
Abdul Karim Abtan Al-Jubouri
Minister of Education, Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Education – Republic of Iraq
Dr. Abdul Hussein Aziz Al-Moussawi
Minister of Health — Ministry of Health – Republic of Iraq
Dr. Khalid Shwani
Minister of Justice and Acting Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Justice & Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs – Republic of Iraq
Mohammed Nouri Ahmed Al-Karbouli
Minister of Industry and Minerals — Ministry of Industry and Minerals – Republic of Iraq
Baligh Mithqal Abu Kalal
Chief Executive Officer of the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq — Communications and Media Commission of Iraq
Mohammed Samir
Chief Commercial Officer — Zain Iraq

Panel11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Enhancing the Efficiency of Iraq’s Telecommunications Market

This high-level panel brings together government leaders, regulators, telecommunications operators, infrastructure providers, and industry experts to examine the current state and future development of Iraq’s telecommunications market. The discussion will address the size and efficiency of the telecommunications sector, nationwide 4G coverage, the development of 5G services, data centre capacity, internet traffic through the national exchange, and Iraq’s growing role in subsea cable and international transit connectivity. The session aims to identify practical opportunities to strengthen infrastructure, improve service quality, increase network capacity, enhance market competitiveness, and position Iraq as a more connected regional digital hub.

VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP HallPart of

telecommunicationsIraq telecom market4G5Gdata centersinternet trafficsubsea cablestransit

Eng. Mustafa Sanad
Minister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Communications – Republic of Iraq
Baligh Mithqal Abu Kalal
Chief Executive Officer of the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq — Communications and Media Commission of Iraq
Dr. Blasim Salim
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Communications and Media Commission of Iraq — Communications and Media Commission of Iraq
Ahmed Rakwi
CEO IRAQ IXP — IRAQ IXP PROJECT
Dr. Eng. Yasser Amer Abdul Jabbar Al-Jawhar · Moderator
Telecommunications & ICT Expert — MOC-Iraq
Dr. Rafid Al-Khafaji
Vice President & Board Member — Huawei

Panel06:00 PM – 08:00 PM

Developing Digital Capabilities

A high-level panel on building Iraq’s digital workforce, expanding ICT skills, supporting AI education, and strengthening national digital capabilities.

VIP Main Stage – Grand VIP HallPart of

digital skillsICT jobslocalizationAI educationtrainingdigital capacitytechnology communitiesintellectual property

Eng. Mustafa Sanad
Minister of Communications of the Republic of Iraq — Ministry of Communications – Republic of Iraq
Prof. Dr. Haider Abd Dhahd
Deputy Minister for Scientific Research — MOHESR – Republic of Iraq
Dr. Huda Sajjad Mahmoud
Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs — Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs – Republic of Iraq
Dr. Ali Nasser Alkhwaildi
President of the Iraqi Association for Information and Communications Technology — Iraqi Association for Information and Communications Technology (IAICT)
Prof. Dr. Salah Al-Shammari
Chairman of the Board of Trustees — Al-Mamoun University
Dr. Maged Ghoneima
Founder & General Partner, M-Empire Angels — M-Empire Angels
Dr. Muntadhar Qasim Abdulhassan · Moderator
Lecturer — University of Al-Qadisiyah
Atheer Hamed Al-Qaisi
President of the Iraqi Programmers Syndicate — Iraqi Programmers Syndicate