Lviv IT Cluster Hosts World Bank Delegation to Discuss the State of Ukraine’s Tech Industry

On September 14, Lviv IT Cluster welcomed an official delegation from the World Bank, led by Antonella Bassani, Vice President for Europe and Central Asia. The meeting focused on the current state of Ukraine’s technology industry and the sector’s key needs.

During the visit, the Cluster team presented the latest data on Ukraine’s technology industry, workforce trends, and changes in the volume of Ukrainian IT exports. The participants also discussed the needs and challenges currently facing technology companies.

Ukraine’s technology industry continues to operate amid the full-scale war while adapting to the rapid market transformation driven by AI. In this environment, a predictable business landscape and opportunities for further growth are particularly important.

“For the tech industry, it is important not only to monitor key indicators, but also to understand how they change over time and what lies behind these changes. That is why Lviv IT Cluster, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, systematically studies the market through IT Research Ukraine, the largest nationwide study of the IT industry. This approach allows us to assess the state of the sector comprehensively, understand the needs of businesses, and discuss the development of the tech sector with partners and international institutions based on data,” said Yaryna Voznyak, Head of the Research Department at Lviv IT Cluster.

The participants also discussed how international financial institutions can support technology businesses under these conditions. The focus was not only on direct financing, but primarily on tools that can help companies scale independently, enter global markets, and create greater economic value in Ukraine. At the same time, business representatives emphasized the need for stable, clear operating rules, including a predictable legislative and regulatory environment, as well as access to financial instruments to support growth.

Another important topic was strengthening the perception of Ukraine’s IT industry as a reliable partner in the global market. Despite the full-scale war, Ukrainian technology companies continue to work with global clients, meet their commitments, and develop new products. International support should therefore contribute not only to the growth of individual companies but also to strengthening Ukraine’s technology ecosystem as a whole.

Technology education and human capital development were also among the topics discussed. In particular, the participants considered the impact of specialists’ outflow abroad and ways to leverage their expertise to develop Ukraine’s economy, even though their return to Ukraine is not yet taking place on a large scale. At the same time, participants emphasized the importance of creating more opportunities for specialists who remain in Ukraine, including expanding career prospects for young people.

The discussion also covered the changes artificial intelligence is bringing to the education and training of the next generation of professionals. For the technology industry, technical knowledge alone is no longer enough: critical thinking, decision-making, and the ability to work effectively with AI tools are becoming increasingly important. This creates opportunities for Ukraine to develop not only as a hub for technology talent but also as an environment for creating its own products and innovations.

In this context, the Lviv IT Cluster’s Research Center plays an important role, aiming to systematically study changes in the technology industry and develop a better understanding of business needs. Its work provides reliable data to help shape next steps toward building a resilient technology ecosystem in Ukraine.

Lviv IT Cluster will continue working to strengthen ties between Ukrainian technology businesses and the global market. We value opportunities for open dialogue and knowledge exchange, which help gain deeper insight into the industry’s needs and its prospects for further development.