The Syrian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoCT) has officially unveiled the “National Agenda for Startups (2025-2030),” a comprehensive policy framework designed to transform the nation’s technology entrepreneurship landscape. Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Agenda serves as a strategic roadmap to transition Syria’s startup environment from its current stage of formation to a phase of sustainable growth and regional competitiveness. By redefining tech startups as high-growth, scalable entities rather than traditional small businesses, the government aims to leverage innovation as a principal engine for job creation and productivity.
Six Strategic Pillars For Ecosystem Development
The Agenda is built upon six interlinked pillars identified through extensive stakeholder consultations and global benchmarking across 22 countries. These pillars form the foundation of the new national strategy:
- Talent Development: Integrating entrepreneurship into school and university curricula while launching national training programs for incubator and accelerator directors.
- Network and Connectivity: Establishing a unified national network to link incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces with the private sector and government bodies.
- Entrepreneurial Culture: Launching media campaigns and university clubs to normalize entrepreneurship as a career path and celebrate local success stories.
- Access to Investment: Creating a “National Fund of Funds” to stimulate venture capital and developing regulated crowdfunding platforms for local and diaspora investors.
- Market Access: Facilitating startup participation in public procurement and building commercial partnerships with regional neighbors like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye.
- Enabling Regulations: Introducing a unified legal definition for startups linked to specific tax incentives and simplified registration procedures.
Implementation Phases And Governance
The rollout of the Agenda is structured into three distinct phases to ensure measurable progress through 2030:
- Foundational Phase (2025–2026): Focuses on legislative reforms, establishing the Innovation and Startup Council, and launching digital market platforms.
- Expansion Phase (2027–2028): Aims to increase the number of registered startups by 50% and expand the national network of support organizations.
- Maturity Phase (2029–2030): Prioritizes international competitiveness and the entry of Syrian startups into major global markets.
The Innovation and Startups Council, composed of both private sector experts and government representatives, will oversee these phases to maintain transparency and institutional coordination.
Key Highlights Of The 2025–2030 Vision
- Focus on Inclusion: The Agenda explicitly prioritizes the participation of women, youth in rural areas, and returnees to ensure entrepreneurship is a comprehensive national pathway.
- Reintegrating the Diaspora: Special emphasis is placed on mobilizing the expertise and capital of Syrians abroad to bridge the existing investment gap.
- Digital Sovereignty: Parallel to the startup agenda, the MoCT is prioritizing the modernization of fiber-optic networks and the deployment of 5G to provide the necessary infrastructure for tech ventures.
- Addressing Informal Economy: New legal pathways will be introduced to incentivize informal micro-enterprises to transition into registered, high-value startups.
About The Ministry Of Communications And Information Technology (MoCT)
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is the primary government body responsible for the information technology sector in the Syrian Arab Republic. Its mandate includes overseeing national digital transformation, managing telecommunications infrastructure, and fostering an environment conducive to technology entrepreneurship. Under the 2025–2030 Agenda, the MoCT serves as the central coordinator for all public and private efforts aimed at building a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.
Source: SANA
