Shaimaa Huwairf Makes History at Iraq's Central Bank

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Friday, 10 July 2026

The Iraqi government has appointed Shaimaa Abbas Huwairf for the first time in the history of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) as its Deputy Governor. The appointment occurs at a crucial time for the representation of the feminine gender in financial institutions in Iraq and a result of the gradual improvement in the process of developing diversity in the representation of the different genders in the key economic institutions in Iraq. On July 8, the Central Bank of Iraq announced.

Shaimaa comes at a moment when the Central Bank of Iraq is putting into action banking reform, and bolstering financial supervision and transparency across the entire banking system of the country. She will be appointed to the executive leadership of the bank following the new Governor Nizar Nasser Hussein who was appointed to the fold in June 2026 and tasked to bolster the financial stability, modernize the banking laws and continue the institutional reforms of the bank.

Shaimaa is a highly experienced financial professional who has 23 years' experience in accounting, auditing and financial supervision. Prior to her appointment she worked as the Acting Director General in the Federal Board of Supreme Audit in Iraq and held a number of senior roles in the Federal Board of Supreme Audit and the Central Bank of Iraq. She has held a wide range of audit, finance, agriculture, public services and banking supervision posts during her career and is known for her broad expertise in the areas of financial governance and institutional oversight.

This is backed by her education. Shaimaa has a diploma in accounting from the Institute of Administration in Iraq (1996) and a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Baghdad (2000). She then earned her PhD in Certified Public Accounting from the Higher Institute for Accounting and Financial Studies, University of Baghdad in 2013 receiving a first class degree. She is also professionally licensed to perform auditing and accounting tasks in Iraq and trained on an international level by the International organization on Supreme audit Institutions (INTOSAI) Development Initiative.

Key Highlights:

• First woman Deputy Governor of Iraq's Central Bank
• 23+ years in auditing and finance
• Supports banking reforms and transparency

Shaimaa will have a pivotal position in the progress of the internal governance, banking supervision and transparency and accountability work of the Central Bank as a Deputy Governor. She has likely helped to bolster the oversight of Iraq's banking system more generally and as the country implements banking system reforms that conform to international financial standards.

The appointment is at a time when Iraq's financial system is undergoing a major change. Governor Nizar Nasser Hussein (previously head of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Office in Iraq) has emphasized the importance of institutional reform, financial stability and enhanced compliance with international banking standards since assuming office. The Central Bank has also been working on enhancing the regulatory framework, fostering digitalization, and boosting the confidence of the banking sector in response to the sector's challenges as a whole.

Shaimaa's appointment has symbolic meaning as well because of the woman's role in Iraq's public institutions. She is the first woman to be appointed as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq and thus Iraq is on record in making the first steps towards women to be involved in the leadership of financial and economic institutions. The move is seen as a significant step towards promoting inclusiveness and underscoring the Central Bank's dedication to institutional excellence and good governance.