The Regional Acceleration Centre has officially commenced operations in Azerbaijan following its establishment within the framework of strategic cooperation between the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The Centre is the first ITU Acceleration Centre to be launched in the CIS region. Its mission is to bring together startups, businesses, government institutions, and educational organisations to strengthen innovative entrepreneurship, promote collaboration across the digital ecosystem, and support the acceleration of digital transformation at the regional level.
Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.
ITU Acceleration Centres currently operate in 16 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. They are implemented under ITU’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development initiative, which aims to enhance regional cooperation, support technology-driven projects, and foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth. These centres serve as practical platforms for cooperation between public and private sector stakeholders, enabling innovation potential to be transformed into scalable solutions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Baku, Chairman of IDDA Farid Osmanov emphasised that the new Centre will serve as a regional hub for startups and innovative projects from Azerbaijan and neighbouring countries. He noted that startups operating within the Centre will be able to participate in acceleration programmes developed in accordance with ITU methodologies and international standards, facilitating their entry into global markets while contributing to the growth of an innovation-driven culture in Azerbaijan through exposure to global best practices.
The Regional Acceleration Centre will operate within the administrative building of the Azerbaijan Innovation Center (AIM). The facility is equipped with event halls, meeting and presentation rooms, as well as dedicated training and coworking spaces designed to support collaboration, capacity building, and the development of innovation-led projects.
Through this initiative, Azerbaijan further strengthens its role as a regional platform for digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-border cooperation, reinforcing its commitment to advancing digital development in partnership with leading international institutions.