Iraq pledges to end $4 billion gas imports from Iran by 2028 as it races to diversify beyond oil

Core Points - Iraq's Prime Minister aims to end the country's $4 billion reliance on Iranian gas by 2028 to diversify the economy [1] - Iraq's power grid is strained due to decades of mismanagement, underinvestment, and corruption, with Iranian gas fueling nearly a third of electricity generation [1] - The government has signed deals with TotalEnergies and other firms to invest in capturing flared gas, potentially worth $4 billion to $5 billion annually [1] - Iraq is pursuing a multi-pronged diplomatic approach to attract investments from various countries, including the U.S., China, and Gulf nations [1] - The upcoming elections on November 11 are seen as a benchmark for Iraq's democratic process amid rising youth unemployment [1][2] Economic Diversification - The government is focused on reducing gas flaring, with a commitment to achieve zero flaring by early 2028 [1] - Recent financial and banking reforms aim to strengthen the presence of investment companies in Iraq [1] - The inauguration of a new Pharmaceutical Manufacturing City is expected to attract major American and British firms [1] Youth Employment and Digital Transformation - The government is encouraging the private sector to create job opportunities, particularly for the youth [2] - Initiatives include establishing a National Center for Digital Transformation and a Center for Cybersecurity [2] - A national strategy for artificial intelligence is being prepared to absorb a larger share of young workers [2]