ITFC and UN ESCAP launch Central Asia Accelerator to back digital startups and boost regional exports - Trade Treasury Payments

New initiative under the TCCA+ Program targets investment readiness and cross-border market access for Central Asian entrepreneurs

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), has launched the Central Asia Accelerator, a strategic initiative to support digital startups and SMEs in six Central Asian countries.

The programme, part of ITFC’s broader Trade Connect Central Asia+ (TCCA+) platform, is designed to help early-stage companies improve investment readiness, scale into international markets, and contribute to regional export growth. It forms part of the joint ITFC–ESCAP project “Boosting Exports through Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Central Asia”, with a focus on Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The accelerator is delivered by GUIDE, an affiliated entity of Gobi Partners, and will run as a hybrid three-month programme. Key elements include a two-day Investment Readiness Bootcamp in Baku, monthly online mentoring sessions, regional expansion workshops, and a sponsored business delegation to JUMPSTARTER 2026 in Hong Kong for top-performing participants.

The initiative targets digital ventures with regional and global potential. It combines structured support from startup mentors, capital engagement specialists, and market access experts to ensure practical outcomes for scaling companies.

Applications are now open, with a deadline of 25 June 2025. Entrepreneurs operating digital businesses in the six eligible countries can apply via: guide.works/central-asia-accelerator

The initiative is part of a broader effort by ITFC to enhance private sector competitiveness and regional integration through trade-led technical assistance. Since its launch, the TCCA+ Program has supported cross-border trade initiatives, capacity-building efforts, and innovation-led growth strategies across Central Asia.

ESCAP’s involvement reflects its mandate to promote sustainable and inclusive development across Asia and the Pacific. By supporting early-stage ventures and cross-border market access, the Accelerator also contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.