Cash Queues to Quick Clicks: How e-Psûle Is Transforming Bill Payments in the KRI

For decades, government bill payments in the Kurdistan Region have relied heavily on cash-based, in-person collections, creating inefficiencies, high operational costs, and a burdensome experience for citizens. As public expectations shift toward faster and more transparent digital services, these legacy systems have become increasingly unsustainable. This article examines e-Psûle, the KRI’s unified digital payment platform, as a key reform in modernizing public service delivery. Approved by the Central Bank of Iraq and fully owned by the KRG, e-Psûle enables citizens to view and pay government bills securely, instantly, and without fees through multiple digital channels. E-Psûle represents a broader shift toward digital governance and citizen-centric reform in the KRI, utilizing a payment system with a structural shift towards financial transparency and a technical upgrade of government digitization. 

The Problem with Cash-Based Government Collections

The successful implementation of the Runaki project and the delivery of electricity to more than four million citizens across the KRI marked a significant step toward improving the quality of life. However, once electricity provision was stabilized, a new challenge emerged for the government: the inefficient and highly centralized process of electricity bill payments.

Cash-based payment services were limited to a small number of locations, two in Slemani, and one each in Erbil, Duhok, Halabja, Zakho, and Raparin, requiring citizens to make in-person visits during restricted office hours. This system offered little flexibility, particularly for residents outside their home cities, and imposed unnecessary time and travel burdens. Moreover, reliance on cash exposed citizens to risks of theft, loss, and untraceable payment confirmations.

These constraints slowed government revenue collection, reduced payment traceability, and increased operational costs associated with maintaining physical offices. The system closely resembled public banking models prior to the introduction of ATMs, when citizens had to travel to designated branches for basic transactions. As society has become increasingly mobile and digitally connected, the Kurdistan Regional Government recognized the need for inevitable reform, leading to the creation of e-Psûle, a unified digital payment platform designed to modernize bill collection and enhance citizen convenience.

What is e-Psûle? 

e-Psûle is the Kurdistan Regional Government’s unified digital payment platform, designed to make bill payments simple, secure, and instant. Through digital payments, citizens can pay anytime and anywhere, access multiple payment channels, including mobile applications, participating wallets, and banks, and settle bills issued by both public and private sector entities.

With Runaki electricity billing now operational, citizens can easily view their bills online and complete payments without the burden of commuting to city-based cash collection offices. To ensure accessibility and demonstrate the core functions of a successful digital payment system, e-Psûle was initially integrated with the Ministry of Electricity, prioritizing citizen convenience and ease of adoption.

e-Psûle is a fully public project developed and owned by the Kurdistan Regional Government and is officially approved by the Central Bank of Iraq, reinforcing its credibility, security, and long-term role in the region’s digital transformation.

Putting Citizens in Control: How e-Psûle Works 

e-Psûle offers a clear, user-friendly step-by-step payment flow that puts citizens fully in control of their transactions. Payments are initiated solely by the user, with no automatic deductions from bank accounts or digital wallets, ensuring explicit consent at every stage. The platform applies zero transaction fees, regardless of the payment channel used. Transparency is central to the system: the full bill amount is displayed upfront, charges are itemized using standardized terminology, and digital receipts are issued instantly and stored for future reference. Citizens can access historical payment records at any time, strengthening traceability and confidence in the process. Where supported by billers or payment providers, e-Psûle also allows users to pay on behalf of others or make batch payments, further enhancing flexibility and convenience within a secure digital framework.

Why e-Psûle Matters: Benefits Across the System

This secure, state-owned digital platform marks the growing technology advances of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s digital future. Where previous generations often postponed bill payments due to long queues, travel burdens, and cash-based banking constraints, today’s generation can engage and support their elders in an era of digitization and convenience. Citizens now have 24/7 access to bill payments directly from their mobile devices, supported by transparent, accurate billing, digital receipts, consolidated records, and secure end-to-end encryption. This flexibility allows bills to be paid quickly and stress-free. As cities across the KRI continue to grow and daily life accelerates, essential tasks can now be completed in just a few clicks. Instead of navigating traffic, queues, and limited office hours, citizens can manage their bills efficiently and reclaim time to engage more productively in the region’s vast economic and social life.

For government billers, e-Psûle enables faster access to collected funds, with payments typically settled within an average of 72 hours and supported by near real-time tracking from the moment a bill is posted. Digital reporting significantly reduces the operational burden associated with manual collections and record-keeping. Collaboration with banks and wallet partners expands digital payment volumes, strengthening the KRI’s integration into the global digital economy while enhancing public trust and credibility. Channel partners also benefit through increased transaction volumes, growth in their customer base, and the expansion of their product portfolios.

Case Study: Electricity Payments Go Digital 

e-Psûle adopted a digital-first approach beginning in mid-October 2025, starting with a pilot phase that served approximately 2,000 users. Electricity payments were deliberately chosen as the first case study, allowing the Ministry of Electricity to demonstrate how quickly citizens could adapt to a simpler, more accessible system. Within weeks, adoption grew rapidly, from 2,000 users to nearly 460,000 by November 2025, reflecting strong public demand for a more convenient way to manage essential services. By February 2026, the rollout is expected to reach around one million customers across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. As the platform continues to expand, citizens will be able to use e-Psûle to pay both Runaki electricity bills and pre-Runaki legacy dues directly through their accounts, further easing the everyday burden of bill payments and reinforcing trust in digital public services.

Addressing Misconceptions and Public Concerns 

With the introduction of new customers to this digital platform, there are naturally some public misconceptions and concerns, such as fears of hidden fees, automatic deductions, or claims of private ownership. e-Psûle is designed to prioritize public trust and accessibility. To build confidence, the platform charges zero fees, yes, zero, for paying your bills online! The Ninth Cabinet’s primary goal with this billing platform is to emphasize public trust and clear communication in digital reforms to better serve citizens. Your account is fully private: no one else can access your information without your consent. Each customer receives a unique account number and is responsible for securing their own bills. e-Psûle does not automatically deduct payments from your chosen bank account; customers can use FIB, Cihan, or NBI and choose to pay in full or in installments, depending on their preference.

Some have raised concerns about usability and adaptability, but e-Psûle is designed for flexibility in just four simple steps:

Select your biller
Select the service
Enter your unique account number
Confirm and authorize your transaction

It’s that simple!

The Future of Digital Governance in the KRI 

e-Psûle and the future of digital governance in Kurdistan demonstrate the Ninth Cabinet’s commitment to citizen-centric reform, transforming cash-dependent services into accessible, trustworthy, and modern digital solutions. As part of a broader digital transformation agenda, e-Psûle is designed to expand across ministries, promoting financial inclusion, efficiency, and transparency while aligning with regional and international digital payment trends. By empowering citizens with secure, flexible bill payments, it showcases how small, everyday digital interactions can reshape governance at scale, strengthening state-citizen relations and setting a practical example of innovation in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of government digitization. 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Kurdistan24.