First national pavilion for Iraqi technology at LEAP 2026 as artificial intelligence and digital services firms seek Gulf partnerships and investments in Riyadh

Riyadh is preparing to host the first national pavilion dedicated to Iraqi technology and digital enterprises at LEAP 2026, marking a notable shift in economic integration between Baghdad and the Gulf states. Hosted at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center in Malham from August 31 to September 3, the pavilion brings together Iraqi firms specialising in artificial intelligence, fintech, digital transformation, logistics, and media and telecommunications solutions under one roof.

A shift in economic weight from traditional oil and state cooperation toward technology partnerships and venture capitalThe fifth edition of the conference, organised by Tahaluf with support from the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, is expected to draw over 201,000 visitors, 1,800 global tech companies, 600 startups, and approximately 1,900 investors. The Iraqi pavilion is situated in Hall 3 at stand H3.G160, providing a venue for Iraqi entrepreneurs to connect with investors and regional firms seeking new markets.

The Iraqi delegation includes a range of emerging private sector companies, led by NAI, an enterprise AI solutions provider, alongside Nass Iraq Holding and its subsidiaries, notably Digital Transformation Company and Zaki Tech, which provides smart building and infrastructure technologies. Media World, a subsidiary of March Holding that connects digital content providers with telecom operators across regional markets, is also participating, along with creative agency Qafiah, digital platform Daman, and firms Advenature and Matic.

Automating cash transactions and supply chains spearheads efforts to diversify the economy and unlock new private sector opportunitiesThe fintech sector features prominently in the pavilion through Al-Rabie Financial Brokerage, one of the largest brokerage firms on the Iraq Stock Exchange, and Dufaid, a platform developing digital payment collection systems to replace paper ledgers. Alongside them, Zaeem Express highlights the growth of e-commerce and logistics infrastructure, operating a distribution network that delivers over 50,000 shipments daily across the country.

This presence carries direct strategic implications for tech and investment professionals across the Gulf and the Levant. For investment funds and venture capital groups in Riyadh and the GCC, the pavilion provides direct access to opportunities in a large consumer market experiencing rapid growth in digital payments and logistics. For developers and tech companies in the region, the entry of these firms into the Riyadh business ecosystem sets the stage for cross-border partnerships to export software and scale cloud and digital services, reinforcing efforts to diversify economic resources beyond historical reliance on energy exports.