Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda met with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev to discuss ADB’s strategic support for the country’s development priorities, aimed at transforming Azerbaijan into a regional hub for connectivity, trade, and energy linking Central Asia and Europe, ADB reported. Kanda announced that ADB plans to invest up to $2.5 billion to support Azerbaijan’s objectives through the new Country Partnership Strategy for 2025–2029. The investment will target smart mobility infrastructure, renewable energy, digitalization, and skills development.
“ADB remains committed to supporting Azerbaijan’s transformation into a regional hub linking Central Asia and Europe,” Kanda said. “We are working alongside the government and the private sector to deliver substantial investments in smart mobility infrastructure, renewable energy, digitalization, and skills development.”
To help diversify Azerbaijan’s export mix and reach new markets, ADB is building green and efficient infrastructure. Major regional projects such as the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Corridor 2 (Middle Corridor) and the Trans-Caspian Green Corridor will improve connectivity, help trade, and allow the transfer of renewable energy resources from Central Asia to European markets.
Kanda met with Prime Minister Ali Asadov to discuss potential new areas of collaboration that attract private investment, boost innovation, and create more jobs. He also met with Minister of Finance Sahil Babayev, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov, and Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev to discuss ADB’s ongoing and future support for Azerbaijan. Digital connectivity and digital trade are also expected to increase within the region.
During his visit, Kanda toured a metro station as part of the forthcoming Baku Metro Expansion Project and met with its senior management. He also visited an ADB-financed modern warehouse facility that has improved food accessibility, affordability, and safety across the country, and met with smallholder farmers who are learning resilient agricultural practices. The visits gave him firsthand insight into how ADB projects are making a difference on the ground.
Since 1999, ADB has provided $5.5 billion in public and private financing and technical assistance for Azerbaijan, covering transport, energy, agriculture, health care, trade, and disaster risk reduction. This support has been vital in transforming lives and contributing to a prosperous future for the people of Azerbaijan. The new Country Partnership Strategy builds on this foundation and sets out an ambitious roadmap for the next five years of collaboration between ADB and Azerbaijan.
