Official: Azerbaijan to launch regional acceleration center

Azerbaijan will soon open a new acceleration center of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), aiming to become a regional hub for technological innovation, Digital Development and Transport Minister Rashad Nabiyev said.

Speaking at the INMerge Innovation Summit in Baku, organised by PASHA Holding LLC, Nabiyev said the center would be a first of its kind not only for Azerbaijan but also for the wider region — including the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Central Asia, and the South Caucasus, Caliber.Az reports per local media.

He noted that this initiative is one of the reasons global technology companies are increasingly choosing Azerbaijan as a strategic destination.

The center, set to open in the coming days, is designed to accelerate the development of start-ups and support the country’s growing innovation ecosystem.

Nabiyev also highlighted the government's recent launch of an open data platform, which makes nearly all public sector data accessible to private companies.

He expressed hope that local start-ups and businesses would leverage this resource to develop new products and services that contribute to Azerbaijan’s long-term economic growth.

Writing about the event on his X page, Azerbaijan’s Economy Minister Mikayil Jabbarov, underlined the event’s role as a platform connecting global innovators and fostering new growth through technology and creativity. 

At the InMerge Innovation Summit (@inmerge_az), we joined global innovators to exchange ideas on how #technology and creativity can unlock new growth paths and build the skilled talent every #economy needs. The Summit has become a unique platform for connecting bold ideas with… pic.twitter.com/TCrbmK5eWj

— Mikayil Jabbarov (@MikayilJabbarov) September 29, 2025

He stressed the importance of strengthening technological capacity, designing resilient business models, and turning innovation into lasting opportunities. Jabbarov thanked the summit’s organisers and wished success to entrepreneurs and partners transforming ideas into impactful ventures.

By Sabina Mammadli