Digital Development Acceleration Action Plan for 2026–2028 Approved – What to Expect?
At a meeting chaired by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on 11 February 2026, important decisions shaping the country’s digital future were adopted. By Presidential Decree, the Digital Development Council of the Republic of Azerbaijan was established to set priorities in digitalization, e-government, artificial intelligence, and innovation, as well as to strengthen the national technological capacity and digital sovereignty. The establishment of the Council will ensure the unified and coordinated implementation of state policy in this field, while accelerating the transition to an innovation-driven economic model. At the same time, in line with the priorities identified at the meeting, the “Action Plan for Accelerating Digital Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2028” was approved. This strategic document outlines comprehensive measures and strategic objectives that will transform the country’s technological landscape over the next three years. At the same time, optimizing public administration, improving the country’s position in international rankings, and increasing the share of the digital sector in GDP have been identified as key objectives.
To enhance governance efficiency and ensure the effective implementation of strategic goals, a clear institutional accountability mechanism has been established within the framework of the Action Plan. Accordingly, it has been decided that each government body (agency) will appoint a senior deputy-level official directly responsible for digitalization, innovation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. In addition, the establishment of a centralized approval mechanism for digital development expenditures across government bodies (agencies) is aimed at enhancing the efficiency of public investments and ensuring the full alignment of digital projects with a unified architecture.
One of the key innovations in digital development is the elimination of fragmentation in the delivery of public services and the transition to a unified centralized system. Accordingly, all digital government services, including documents, will be provided to citizens and entrepreneurs exclusively through the “MyGov” and “MyGov Business” platforms. Individual portals and mobile applications of separate agencies will be phased out and integrated into a single ecosystem, which will contribute to improving service quality.
In addition to digitalizing existing services, the Plan envisages a transition to a proactive model. Under this approach, certain services will be delivered automatically based on system integration and data exchange, without requiring additional applications from citizens. The implementation of the “Once Only” principle will minimize the need for repeated documents, thereby reducing bureaucratic obstacles. At the same time, the establishment of a “State Data Hub” and the integration of various information resources into it will ensure the integrity, completeness, and accuracy of data.
Another key direction is strengthening the financial sustainability of the innovation ecosystem and increasing ICT exports. Within this framework, the plan provides for the establishment of a legal framework for venture financing, crowdfunding, and the “angel investor” institution, as well as the creation of a “Fund of Funds” with the participation of local and international venture capital funds. Support for local innovative products in public procurement and making open data accessible to businesses and startups through APIs are also envisaged. To attract global talent, the introduction of “Digital Nomad” and “Digital Talent” visas, as well as tax incentives for freelancers, will further reinforce Azerbaijan’s position as a regional technology hub.
The integration of modern technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, into government and societal functions is also among the key priorities. In this regard, the establishment of high-performance computing infrastructure and the enhancement of services through AI-based solutions are planned. The deployment of virtual assistants providing 24/7 services to citizens will be expanded, while a legal framework will be developed to enable the nationwide implementation of AI solutions successfully tested in the “Regulatory Sandbox,” ensuring the full integration of proven models into public services.
To ensure cybersecurity in the digital environment, the national cybersecurity ecosystem will also be strengthened. The plan includes the establishment of specialized centers for coordinating resilient defense against cyberattacks, investigating and mitigating their consequences, including National Security Operations, National Cyber Incident Response, and specialized digital investigation activities. The integration of all public services into the e-Government Information System and the completion of the transition of state information assets and systems to the “Government Cloud” will enhance information security, including cybersecurity. This approach represents a new stage of full digital transformation in Azerbaijan’s public administration and economic model.
It should be noted that the Action Plan has been aligned with the Strategy on Information Security and Cybersecurity, the Digital Development Concept, and the Artificial Intelligence Strategy, consolidating concrete measures that ensure the implementation of the objectives set forth in these documents. In this way, strategic vision, priorities, and implementation mechanisms are brought together within a unified governance model.