Post-Crisis Entrepreneurship: Global Lessons and an Action Plan for Syria

In the wake of over a decade of conflict that devastated infrastructure and crippled the economy, Syria now faces an existential challenge: either rebuild through entrepreneurship or remain trapped in a vicious cycle of dependency. Data indicates that 80.5% of Syrians consider entrepreneurship "critical" for reconstruction, but the path ahead will not be easy. This analysis draws on experiences from 15 countries that emerged from similar crises, with a focus on lessons from Rwanda, Kosovo, and Bosnia.

Why Entrepreneurship? The Numbers Don’t Lie

• Job Creation: In Rwanda, SMEs contributed 41% of GDP after the 1994 genocide and provided jobs for 80% of the workforce.

• Economic Restructuring: In Bosnia, entrepreneurship accounts for 60% of GDP and 67% of employment post-war.

• Social Cohesion: In Liberia, women-led businesses increased by 25% between 2008–2016, strengthening community stability.

Syria’s Entrepreneurial Landscape Today: Opportunities and Challenges

Currently, over 200 Syrian startups operate, with 85% in fintech, e-commerce, and digital health sectors. However, obstacles remain daunting:

• Funding Shortages: 90% of startups rely on self-funding.

• Crumbling Infrastructure: 70% of Syrian regions suffer from daily power outages exceeding 12 hours.

• Regulatory Hurdles: Company registration takes an average of 34 days, compared to 3 days in the UAE.

Strategic Priorities: What Should Syrian Entrepreneurs Do?

1. Focus on Vital Sectors:

• Renewable Energy: With the collapse of the electrical grid, solar solutions have become essential. In Afghanistan, startups in this sector created 50,000 jobs by 2020.

• Smart Agriculture: 62% of Syria’s land is arable. Afghanistan’s TAGHEER project demonstrates how training youth in agricultural technologies boosted productivity by 40%.

• Digital Health: 55% of medical centers were destroyed during the war. Romania’s model of transforming crises into opportunities via telemedicine could inspire solutions.

2. Innovate Business Models:

Syria’s successful startups today adopt hybrid models combining traditional and digital services. Damascus-based "Delivery Hub" increased revenues by 120% in 2024 by integrating an online platform with a motorcycle delivery network.

3. Build Cross-Border Partnerships:

Swiss-based "Nsave," founded by Syrian Amir Brody, raised $18 million in 2024 to provide financial services for migrants, leveraging cross-border networks.

Global Lessons: How Others Succeeded

Rwanda: From Genocide to Economic Miracle

• Institutional Reforms: Central Bank restructured within two years post-crisis.

• Tech Focus: 90% of government transactions became digital by 2020.

• Diaspora Engagement: Rwandan diaspora invested $500 million in startups between 2000–2010.

Kosovo: The Power of Diaspora

Through its "Diaspora Investment Window," Kosovo attracted €74 million in 2024, offering tax exemptions of up to 50% for foreign investors.

Bosnia: Entrepreneurship Bridges Divides

Despite political divisions, 38% of Sarajevo-based companies rely on cross-ethnic partnerships, creating 12,000 joint employment opportunities.

Stakeholder Roles: Who Should Do What?

Government:

• Streamline Procedures: Reduce company registration time to 7 days maximum.

• Tax Incentives: Offer 5-year exemptions for energy and agriculture sectors.

• Digital Infrastructure: Invest $200 million in fiber-optic networks by 2026.

Investors:

• Specialized Funds: Launch a $50 million venture capital fund targeting tech startups.

• Innovative Financing: Adopt Afghanistan’s "asset-based lending" model, which increased SME funding by 65%.

International Community:

• Training Platforms: Replicate the UN’s EDU program, which trained 12,000 entrepreneurs in Iraq and Somalia.

• Credit Guarantees: Mirror Kosovo’s Credit Guarantee Fund, which slashed loan interest rates from 18% to 9%.

Syrian Diaspora:

• Strategic Investment: Direct 1% of remittances (estimated at $1.8 billion annually) to startups.

• Knowledge Transfer: Create mentorship programs linking Syrian startups with diaspora-led firms in Europe and the U.S.

Conclusion: A Historic Moment Not to Be Wasted

Global examples prove economic recovery takes 7–10 years on average, but Syria could halve this timeline by leveraging:

• Societal Willingness: 8 out of 10 Syrians are willing to risk launching new ventures.

• Prior Experience: 73% of Syrian entrepreneurs have international work experience.

• Digital Transformation: 65% of the population is under 30, with smartphone penetration at 82%.

The choices are clear: invest in entrepreneurship as an engine of recovery or remain trapped in humanitarian aid dependency. History will not wait.

Sources:
Rising From the Rubble: Entrepreneurship in Syria Post-Assad (2025)
UNIDO & EBN Publication on Post-Crisis Business Ecosystems (2023)
World Bank Report on Rwanda's Post-Genocide Economy (2015)
Peace News Study on Bosnia's Inter-Ethnic Collaboration (2024)
Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund: Diaspora Investment Window (2025)
World Bank Report on Women Entrepreneurs in Liberia (2025)
World Bank Agricultural Review: Afghanistan (2020)
TAGHEER Assessment on Afghan Youth Employment (2024)
IMF Report on Rwanda's Financial Reconstruction (2005)
Kosovo Diaspora Investment Program (2025)
Lund University Thesis on Rwanda's Economic Growth (2023)