REZ IT/AI Academy and Incubator Opened: A Strategic Step for the Digital Future of Zenica-Doboj Canton

(Patria) - The Regional Development Agency REZ, with the support of the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDK) and the Ministry of Economy of ZDK, officially opened the REZ IT/AI Academy and IT Incubator in Zenica.

This concludes a multi-year strategic project of building regional IT/AI infrastructure, which has already resulted in investments of over one million convertible marks in spaces, equipment, and digital infrastructure across the canton.



ZDK Prime Minister Nezir Pivić emphasizes that digitalization is the path to the development of all segments of society and that he wants ZDK to be a center of digitalization, innovation, and technological development.

- This is particularly important from the perspective of economic development, as the economy must have such support, and young people must have special conditions for starting IT businesses and creating connections worldwide. The project is also important for attracting new investments in this sector - said Pivić.

The REZ IT Incubator already hosts five IT companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, and Germany, confirming the international recognition of this project.

The incubator offers complete business infrastructure, mentoring support, access to an investor network, and opportunities for business internationalization.

- This model – which attracts foreign companies while retaining local talent – directly contributes to the economic development of the canton and prevents brain drain, one of the key challenges facing BiH - said the director of the REZ Agency, Ismet Sarajlić.

Minister of Economy Samir Šibonjić stated that the project "Development of IT Infrastructure in ZDK" represents one of the most ambitious development initiatives in the history of Zenica-Doboj Canton.

He notes that the project's goal is to build an integrated network of IT/AI hubs that will provide all cities in the canton with equal access to digital resources, knowledge, and business opportunities of the 21st century.

- So far, IT/AI hubs have been built and fully equipped in Zenica, Zavidovići, and Maglaj, and in 2026, new locations are planned to open in Kakanj and Doboj Jug. In the coming period, the network will expand to all cities of ZDK - announced Šibonjić.



REZ has established cooperation with eminent institutions and experts from the Republic of Turkey, opening doors for knowledge transfer, joint research, and access to Turkish technology markets.

In addition, representatives of the BiH diaspora from across Europe and the world are actively involved – experts who bring experience from global IT and AI centers, and who are now becoming ambassadors for the development of their homeland.

It was highlighted that ZDK, thanks to this project, is entering the digital era with a clear strategy, concrete infrastructure, and an international network of partners.

The REZ IT/AI Academy is the beginning, and the vision is to transform every city in this canton into a hub for digital development and innovation.