Azerbaijan is transforming and upskilling its workforce with free online education

Established in 2021, Azerbaijan’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) is driving the country’s digital transformation. The initiative focuses on developing a digital economy strategy and fostering the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.

To build a competitive workforce, C4IR has partnered with Coursera, offering free access to over 800 courses on AI, data science, digital transformation, and soft skills.

So far, more than 6,000 citizens have completed courses, earning over 2,500 certificates. The program benefits a diverse range of participants, including women, the unemployed, civil servants, and even children as young as nine.

C4IR aims to reach 200,000 citizens and plans to translate all 8,000 Coursera courses into Russian. Additionally, it will establish specialized academies focused on startups, climate and environment, teachers, and students.

By equipping citizens with essential skills, C4IR supports Azerbaijan’s "Azerbaijan 2030" national priorities, ensuring a workforce ready to navigate the digital economy and drive innovation.