The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Finland, organized the “Janyration Sanarip” incubation program to equip small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in Kyrgyzstan with the tools and knowledge needed to transition from traditional business models to digital-first operations, enabling them to grow and compete in the e-commerce market, UNDP Kyrgyzstan reported.
The program is the part of the UNDP’s support for digital transformation in Kyrgyzstan in line with the country’s National Development Strategy 2018–2040 and the Concept of the Digital Transformation 2024-2028, aiming to foster inclusive economic growth and bridge the digital divide.
For emerging economies like Kyrgyzstan, where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for most of the employment and play a vital role in regional development, unlocking access to digital markets is critical.
Over the course of 16 weeks, the program supported 43 entrepreneurs—more than half of them women—in developing tailored digital transformation strategies to strengthen their value chains.
Through expert-led training, participants — ranging from clothing producers to food entrepreneurs entering regional marketplaces — gained practical skills in digital marketing, logistics optimization, online sales platforms, and customer relationship management.
UNDP brought in 22 experienced practitioners from across the digital economy to train participants in using Amazon, eBay, and TikTok Shop, streamlining order fulfillment, and adopting automated client engagement tools.
“Digital transformation is a catalyst for inclusive economic development. By bridging the digital divide, especially for women-led, youth and rural businesses, we are enabling small enterprises to tap into new markets, generate decent jobs, and contribute to a more resilient and equitable economy,” commented Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan. By equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools, the program has helped to reduce regional disparities and position Kyrgyzstan’s producers to better compete in global value chains.
