Post by Accelerate Prosperity

#APSyria Official Launch of "Accelerate Prosperity programs and services" by the Aga Khan Development Network, Damascus – June 8, 2026 The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) in Syria, under the patronage of Mr. Ghadfan Ajjoub, Resident Representative of AKDN in Syria, officially launched the Accelerate Prosperity Syria initiative – a dedicated program to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the country. The inaugural ceremony brought together a distinguished group of officials and stakeholders, including Mr. Abdulsalam Haykal, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; the Ambassadors of Italy, Japan, and Germany to Syria; the Deputy Minister of Social Affairs and Labor; senior representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information; leading financial institutions; as well as entrepreneurs, private sector representatives, development partners, investors, and diplomatic entities. Global leadership from Accelerate Prosperity also attended, including Imran Shams, Global Executive Director; Karim Sumar AM, Member of the AP Global Board; and mohannad obaido, Chief Executive Director of the Aga Khan Foundation in Syria. This launch marks a significant milestone in advancing entrepreneurship in Syria. Accelerate Prosperity will provide business acceleration and incubation services, mentorship, coaching, technical assistance, market linkages, and facilitated access to finance – enabling startups, micro- and small enterprises, and both male and female entrepreneurs to grow and thrive. The event featured keynote addresses, project showcases, and strategic panel discussions highlighting the current state of entrepreneurship, persistent challenges, and emerging opportunities within Syria. It also served as a vital platform for dialogue and networking across public and private sectors. In response to pressing challenges such as limited financing, market access barriers, and the need for sustainable support structures, the initiative aims to generate lasting economic opportunities for youth and women while building resilient, scalable enterprises. Mr. Ghadfan Ajjoub, Resident Representative of AKDN in Syria, stated: "The launch of 'Accelerate Prosperity Syria' represents an important step, affirming AKDN’s commitment to supporting Syrian entrepreneurs and enabling them to transform their ideas into successful projects – contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country. This comes within the Network's deep commitment to the Syrian people, through the implementation of projects exceeding €100 million during 2026 and 2027, under the directives of His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, President of the Network."* #AKDN #AccelerateProsperity #Syria #Entrepreneurship #EconomicRecovery #SustainableDevelopment