BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 20. On August 19,
President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, speaking at the first
meeting of the Council for the Development of the Digital Economy,
instructed relevant authorities to transfer priority public
services to electronic format and ensure the integration of state
information systems.
The decisions adopted at the meeting effectively mark
Tajikistan’s transition to a new stage of digital
transformation—from the development of individual electronic
services toward the establishment of a unified digital
infrastructure for the state. The meeting highlighted that existing
systems often operate independently, requiring citizens and
businesses to submit the same information repeatedly, while certain
administrative procedures continue to be conducted in paper
form.
A key development could be the introduction of the “once-only
data submission” principle. Its implementation would enable
government agencies to obtain the required information through
integrated state registers, eliminating the need for citizens and
businesses to repeatedly provide the same data. In this context,
digitalization would affect not only the delivery of public
services but also the broader architecture of public
administration.
The integration of state information systems is particularly
significant for businesses. With electronic platforms
interconnected, companies could complete registration, tax,
customs, and licensing procedures more efficiently. The Customs
Service has also been instructed to develop a roadmap for
establishing a fully paperless system, which could become one of
the most significant areas of digitalization in foreign trade.
At the same time, Tajikistan’s information and communications
services sector continues to demonstrate steady growth. The volume
of paid services in the sector reached 3.07 billion somoni ($333.2
million) in the period from January through June 2026, compared
with 2.47 billion somoni ($267.5 million) during the same period
last year, representing an increase of approximately 24.6%.
Overall, the volume of goods produced and services provided
across the main sectors of the economy amounted to 81.68 billion
somoni ($8.86 billion) at current prices in the first half of 2026,
increasing by 8.2% in real terms compared with the same period of
the previous year. Transport, storage, information and
communications accounted for 7.28 billion somoni ($789.7 million),
or 8.9% of the total. These figures highlight the growing
contribution of the information and communications sector to
Tajikistan’s economy.
Infrastructure will represent another key component of the
country’s digital transformation. Under the Medium-Term Digital
Economy Development Program for 2026–2030, key priorities include
the development of digital infrastructure, establishment of a
national data system, integration of state registers, and
digitalization of the real economy and social sectors.
At the Council meeting, these priorities were complemented by
measures aimed at the full digitalization of public services,
development of digital entrepreneurship and artificial
intelligence, as well as strengthening cybersecurity.
At the same time, the state will need to address the
accessibility of digital services. The meeting instructed
authorities to improve the quality and expand internet coverage,
particularly in remote regions. This means that the effectiveness
of digital transformation will depend not only on software and
government platforms, but also on the availability of basic digital
infrastructure.
Another potential constraint is the availability of skilled
personnel. The Ministry of Education and Science was instructed to
align the system of training and retraining specialists with labor
market needs and to increase digital literacy among the
population.
The human capital component is already an important part of
Tajikistan’s international agenda. In August, Minister of Economic
Development and Trade Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda discussed human
capital development with Takashi Nagaoka, Director of the IMF
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, as well as Tajikistan’s
participation in the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia
(JISPA). The sides also discussed the training of specialists in
macroeconomic analysis, trade and investment policy, artificial
intelligence and the digital economy.
Plans to introduce artificial intelligence are becoming a
separate area of digital transformation. The Agency for Innovation
and Digital Technologies was instructed to prepare proposals on the
responsible use of artificial intelligence in the national economy
and on strengthening cybersecurity. This means that AI is being
viewed not as a separate technological area, but as part of broader
digital infrastructure.
In the short term, the use of AI could focus on data processing,
the automation of certain administrative processes and improving
the efficiency of public services. Over time, its use could expand
to education, healthcare, the financial sector and other areas of
the economy.
However, the development of AI will require not only
technological solutions, but also rules governing the use of data,
mechanisms for protecting information and the training of qualified
specialists. In this context, the creation of a national data
system and the integration of state registers provide an
infrastructure foundation for the further introduction of
artificial intelligence technologies.
In parallel, Tajikistan is expanding international cooperation
in digital technologies. At the sixth meeting of the Tajikistan-EU
Subcommittee on Development, the sides discussed the digital
economy alongside transport, energy, investment and other areas.
The implementation of the Global Gateway initiative and
coordination of joint projects with Tajikistan’s national
priorities were identified among the priorities.
Separate talks are also being held with technology companies.
The Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the
President of Tajikistan recently held a meeting with a
representative of Apple, during which the sides discussed digital
technologies, artificial intelligence, IT training, the development
of the innovation ecosystem and potential joint projects.
In April, a similar agenda was discussed with Belarus. The
Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies and Belarus’
Ministry of Communications and Informatization discussed the
development of AI, digital infrastructure, electronic public
services, startups, joint technology centers and digital platforms,
as well as cybersecurity and personnel training.
Thus, international cooperation could develop in several areas,
ranging from financing and technological expertise to personnel
training and the creation of joint digital solutions. At the same
time, the further implementation of such projects will depend on
how effectively they are integrated into the national digital
architecture rather than becoming separate technological
initiatives.
The introduction of artificial intelligence is becoming another
important area. The Council instructed the Agency for Innovation
and Digital Technologies, together with relevant authorities, to
prepare proposals on the responsible use of AI in the national
economy and strengthening cybersecurity.
Overall, the further development of Tajikistan’s digital economy
will depend on how consistently the state can move from individual
digital solutions toward a unified system. The integration of state
registers, the once-only data submission principle and the full
transition of services to electronic format could reduce paperwork,
simplify interaction between citizens, businesses and government
agencies, and at the same time transform administrative
processes.
At the same time, there is a risk that if the number of
electronic services grows faster than the integration of government
systems, some procedures will remain fragmented. In this case,
citizens and companies may still be required to submit the same
information repeatedly.
The private sector and international partners could also play a
significant role in this process. Their participation could
accelerate the introduction of new technologies, the development of
startups, AI, and digital platforms. At the same time, this will
require common technical standards, effective data protection
mechanisms and transparent financing conditions.
In the longer term, digitalization could go beyond public
administration and become a factor in the development of private
businesses and increasing productivity in traditional sectors of
the economy.
However, the ultimate impact will depend on a combination of
factors, including the availability of internet infrastructure,
particularly in the regions, the quality of specialist training and
the level of digital literacy among the population.
If these factors develop together, digital transformation could
gradually lead to a more integrated digital economy, while
continued fragmentation between government agencies could limit the
impact of existing and planned projects.
The decisions of the first meeting of the Council for the
Development of the Digital Economy effectively established the
framework for this process for 2026-2030 — the integration of
government data and systems, digitalization of services,
development of AI, digital entrepreneurship, infrastructure and
human capital. Successful implementation of these tasks would allow
the country to move from fragmented electronic services toward a
more integrated digital economy.
