Introduction
Azerbaijan has charted an impressive course toward digital government, marked by strong execution and tangible achievements. Yet, as with any ambitious transformation, complexities inevitably emerge, particularly in aligning diverse agencies and shifting from digitalising existing processes to reimagining government services for simplicity and user-centricity.
Recognising these nuanced challenges, the Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA) identified the need to enhance digital leadership and collaboration to unlock Azerbaijan’s next level of digital development. It was within this context that our Digital Leadership Masterclass was initiated – to equip key actors with the capabilities, mindset, and tools to lead transformative change across government, and most importantly, to create a platform for cross-sector collaboration across leadership ranks.
Scope of Work
The masterclass aimed to establish a shared foundation among the leaders of the public sector for what successful digital government looks like in Azerbaijan. We focused on harmonising understanding across agencies and equipping the leaders with a shared toolbox – exploring the fundamentals of digital society, user-centric service design, and the strategic building blocks such as digital identity and interoperability. The content was enriched with relevant international case studies, always rooted in Azerbaijan’s unique context, strategic priorities, and implementation realities.
Participants included leaders from key ministries and agencies, with IDDA acting as the local facilitator and strategic partner. Our team at Digital Nation led the preparation and delivery of the masterclass, managing the involvement of external experts and partners.
Our approach
The Masterclass was grounded in a hands-on, practitioner-to-practitioner learning philosophy – one designed to actively engage participants in meaningful collaboration.
Practical Orientation
Rather than relying on lecturing, our methodology prioritises practical engagement, supported in this Masterclass by our partner Rethink. Each session was built around dynamic group work, sector-specific clustering, and hands-on assignments. This immersive format intentionally pushed participants beyond their usual routines, creating space for reflection, experimentation, and new ways of thinking.
Peer Learning with Global Relevance
To ensure relevance and inspiration, we brought in seasoned digital government practitioners from around the world – leaders who had successfully navigated similar journeys in places like New South Wales or Finland. Their first-hand insights into what worked (and what didn’t) helped participants see the pathway ahead through a practical, lived-in lens.
Learning by Story, Learning by Doing
Throughout the sessions, we blended case studies, inspirational talks, and participants’ own professional experiences to unlock new perspectives. Sectoral clusters – ranging from finance to education, health, and environment – enabled focused collaboration on shared challenges. This applied, collaborative model wasn’t just about transferring knowledge, but about cultivating capability, confidence, and connection across Azerbaijan’s public sector leadership.
Impact
Perhaps the most lasting impact of our engagement lies in what we helped unlock, which was a safe, structured space where cross-sectoral dialogue could take root. In a naturally siloed public sector landscape, bringing together leaders across ministries to speak openly and with shared ambition was no small feat.
The sessions inspired new thinking and planted the seeds for longer-term collaboration, with participants expressing a desire to continue meeting informally across agency lines. By breaking down barriers, igniting peer learning, and sparking practical ideas, the Digital Leadership Masterclass created both the momentum and mindset shift needed for Azerbaijan to move toward a more unified approach to digitalisation.
Thank you to the IDDA team and all our external experts and partners for the effective and impactful collaboration in strengthening digital leadership across the Azerbaijani public sector!