- Provides fibre optic networks, cloud services and cybersecurity solutions nationwide
- Faces challenges including electricity instability and security concerns
Manara Communication and Technology’s Infrastructure Expansion
Since its founding in 2015, Manara has emerged as Iraq’s leading indigenous telecom infrastructure provider, deploying over 5,200km of fibre optic cable across 15 provinces. The company’s most significant achievement came in 2022 with the launch of Iraq’s first carrier-neutral data centre in Erbil, a $28 million facility that now hosts critical infrastructure for more than 30 enterprises including three international banks.
According to Iraq’s Communications Ministry, Manara controls 22% of the enterprise broadband market, with particular dominance in the government sector where it connects over 200 ministry buildings in Baghdad. The company’s rapid growth reflects Iraq’s urgent need for reliable digital infrastructure – a demand that increased 300% between 2018-2022 according to World Bank data.
“Manara’s work in conflict-affected areas like Mosul and Anbar is transforming Iraq’s digital recovery,” notes telecom analyst Rasha Al-Hadithi in Tech Iraq’s Annual Review. The company recently secured a $15 million contract to connect 150 schools in formerly ISIS-controlled territories, using armoured fibre cables and secure wireless links.
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Manara Communication and Technology’s Adaptive Solutions
Operating in Iraq’s challenging environment has driven Manara to develop groundbreaking solutions. The company’s mobile data centre units – 40-foot shipping containers equipped with servers, cooling systems and hybrid power – can be relocated within hours when security situations deteriorate. These units maintained 98% uptime during Baghdad’s 2022 political unrest while traditional data centres failed.
Power solutions combine solar arrays, lithium-ion batteries and smart diesel generators, reducing fuel consumption by 40% compared to conventional systems. “Each installation must solve four problems simultaneously: connectivity, power, security and mobility,” explains CTO Ali Abbas in a company whitepaper. Their upcoming 5G pilot with Huawei represents a $50 million investment that could bring Iraq’s first commercial 5G services by 2025, though spectrum allocation delays continue to pose challenges.
The company’s success has attracted regional attention, with Jordan’s MENA Tech Fund investing $120 million in 2023 to expand operations into Syria and Yemen. However, industry analysts warn that maintaining quality during rapid expansion remains Manara’s greatest test, particularly given Iraq’s chronic shortage of trained engineers – estimated at 15,000 vacancies by Arab ICT Organization reports.
