Ghana holds cross-continental knowledge exchange with Iraq

A groundbreaking virtual collaboration between Digital Transformation Centers (DTCs) in Ghana and Iraq has demonstrated the power of South-South cooperation in building resilient digital ecosystems. The recent knowledge-sharing session connected innovation hubs from both nations, highlighting best practices in nurturing local tech talent and fostering entrepreneurial growth. 

Ghana's HOPin Academy and Fab Hub Ashanti joined forces with Iraq's Suli Innovation House and Makers of Baghdad in the exchange, facilitated by the German Development Cooperation through GIZ. The dialogue focused on three transformative strategies: developing internal organizational capacity, cultivating creative problem-solving approaches, and establishing cross-border collaboration frameworks for startups. 

"This partnership moves beyond conventional technical assistance to create genuine peer learning between our innovation communities," remarked a GIZ representative. Ghana shared its successful models in grassroots digital skills training, while Iraqi hubs presented innovative approaches to sustaining maker spaces in challenging environments. 

The DTC initiative, funded by Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, is creating tangible impacts in both countries. In Ghana, the centers have trained over 5,000 youth in emerging technologies since 2023, while Iraq's program has supported 120 tech startups through its incubation networks. 

This cross-continental exchange establishes a permanent channel for ongoing collaboration, with plans for joint virtual incubator programs and shared digital learning resources. As both nations implement their national digital strategies, such partnerships are proving invaluable in adapting global innovation models to local contexts while preserving cultural specificity in technological development. 

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye