In Iraq, unemployment is one of the most pressing challenges, with over a million individuals entering the job market annually. The country's heavy reliance on oil and public sector jobs has left little room for employment diversification, particularly in tech-based sectors.
Developing Iraq's digital economy could create employment opportunities, enhance private sector growth, and improve public sector efficiency. However, the sector remains largely untapped due to a skills gap, outdated education curricula, and the absence of supportive legislation.
That is why the project is supporting Iraq’s digital ecosystem with programmes that bridge the job market’s skills gap by helping individuals develop digital skills. Raising awareness among the public and policymakers about the digital economy as an essential driver of employment.
The project adopts a multifaceted approach to enhance Iraq's digital economy, focusing on the following measures:
- Providing training in IT, digital transformation, and soft skills to improve employability. This includes dedicated support to facilitate individuals’ transition from training to employment and assistance for start-up companies during their growth phase.
- Facilitating cooperation among key digital economy actors, such as IT companies, start-ups, hubs, incubators, accelerators, and university entrepreneurship centres, as well as established economy entities, and large corporations, to promote employment opportunities.
- Fostering collaboration and dialogue between, digital economy support organisations and the public sector with the aim of raising awareness about the digital economy’s potential and needs in Iraq.