While the world’s gaze was fixated on a seismic US diplomatic initiative in the Middle East, a clandestine gathering of Silicon Valley’s brightest minds descended upon Damascus last weekend, sparking a flicker of hope in a land ravaged by a 13-year civil war. In a historic moment, the Syrian capital, now under a transitional government, hosted its first independent tech conference in half a century, a bold step towards rebuilding its shattered economy and infrastructure.
The two-day SYNC 25 conference, a brainchild of Syrian-American tech luminaries from Silicon Valley, transformed Damascus into a crucible of innovation, with workshops and discussions on artificial intelligence, data security, and the forging of strategic partnerships. “We wanted to transplant the dynamism of Silicon Valley into the heart of Damascus,” declared Bassel Ojjeh, co-founder and CEO of LigaData, a Palo Alto-based firm and a key organizer. “Our mission was to connect with the nation’s budding entrepreneurs and industry leaders, to ignite a spark of collaboration and knowledge exchange.”
The ambitious organizers of SYNC 25, a network of Syrian-descent entrepreneurs and investors, have set their sights on creating 25,000 new jobs in Syria’s nascent technology sector within the next five years, a testament to their unwavering belief in the country’s potential.
Tech entrepreneurs who attended the conference expressed hope that the event would serve as a catalyst for building a robust investment infrastructure in Syria. “We must address the urgent need for employment and revitalize the internet infrastructure,” emphasized Yazan Enayeh, a Syrian entrepreneur and founder of the Swiss-based watch company L’Orloger.
The conference unfolded against the backdrop of the transitional government’s determined diplomatic offensive, seeking to mend fractured regional ties following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December. Interim leader Ahmed al-Shara has engaged in high-level meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Riyadh, seeking economic and humanitarian aid. The Saudi state news agency confirmed discussions on future cooperation in energy and technology.
The event, remarkably assembled in under a month, underscores the pent-up desire for change. “We moved with incredible speed to engage with stakeholders in Syria’s ailing tech sector,” Ojjeh explained. “SYNC is an evolving entity. The fact that we managed to host a fully subscribed conference just weeks after the regime’s fall speaks volumes about the people’s aspirations.”
Syria’s economy remains deeply troubled. While Western sanctions are gradually being eased, the country faces a daunting challenge in restoring international trust. Ayman Hamawiye, head of the Syrian Investment Agency, recently lamented to Reuters that banking sanctions are hindering crucial investments from Arab and European businesses, with numerous investors eager to fund projects in healthcare, real estate, and renewable energy.
Within Syria, basic amenities are scarce. Electricity is unreliable, internet connectivity is sluggish, and telecommunications infrastructure is outdated. The country also urgently requires a comprehensive overhaul of its technology-related laws and regulations.
“Restoring foreign and public confidence in Syria’s economy is paramount,” asserted Nour Al-Khatib, global brand and sponsorship senior manager at MTN, a South African mobile telecom provider and one of Syria’s two main telcos. “Conferences like these are crucial for building trust and attracting foreign investment to bridge the knowledge and capability gap.”
Syria only introduced mobile phone services in 2000, licensing Syriatel, owned by Assad’s cousin, and Areeba, which later merged with MTN. Throughout Assad’s rule, the telecom sector remained under strict state control.
“We need a thorough assessment of the infrastructure’s current state,” Al-Khatib emphasized. “We need skilled individuals to drive technological advancement. Human resources are the linchpin of this endeavor.”
Despite the formidable challenges, Syria boasts a burgeoning tech scene, with an average of two new tech companies launching annually over the past decade, according to Tracxn. Ojjeh highlighted the resilience of Syrian software engineers, who “can be incredibly productive despite working with limited electricity and unreliable internet, competing effectively on the global stage.”
On the sidelines of the conference, Ojjeh and other organizers met with interim President al-Sharaa to discuss the future of Syria’s tech industry. “The new authorities are extremely supportive of these initiatives and any effort to boost the tech economy,” Ojjeh revealed. “They are eager to see the continuation of conferences and workshops.” The event represents a bold step in Syria’s journey towards technological and economic revival, a testament to the enduring spirit of its people.
