Syed Fazl-e-Haider
On October 6, Uzbekistan signed a 25-year, $100 million-per-year contract with Afghanistan to explore and develop Afghan oil and gas resources, expanding economic cooperation and processing extracted gas in Uzbekistan for mutual benefit.
Kabul and Tashkent have strengthened energy ties through major infrastructure projects, including new transmission lines and substations, with agreements totaling over $1.15 billion to expand electricity generation and connectivity.
Uzbekistan’s growing role in Afghanistan’s energy sector supports regional integration, stability, and its strategic goal of accessing seaports via Afghanistan, despite ongoing geopolitical challenges and Russian influence in the region.
On October 6, Uzbekistan Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov revealed that Uzbekistan had signed a 25-year contract with Afghanistan for the exploration and development of oil and gas resources in Afghanistan. In September, Uzbek company Eriell KAM started exploration work at the Tuti-Maidan gas field in Afghanistan (Kursiv.uz, October 6). Mirzamakhmudov stated that this initiative will bring mutual economic benefits to both Uzbekistan and Afghanistan (Kun.uz, October 6). Under the deal, Uzbekistan agreed to invest around $100 million per year over the next 10 years. Afghanistan’s Toti-Maidan gas field contains nearly 30 wells, and extracted gas will be processed in Uzbekistan (The Diplomatic Insight, October 9). Uzbekistan is increasing its stake in Afghanistan’s energy sector as part of its strategy to deepen regional energy partnerships and create mutually beneficial economic opportunities (see EDM, May 21).
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