ADB, Tcell Join Forces with $30M Deal to Boost Tajikistan’s Mobile Network

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Indigo Tajikistan Closed Joint Stock Company (Tcell) have inked a landmark local currency financing agreement worth $30 million to modernize and expand mobile connectivity throughout Tajikistan.

The announcement was made by the ADB Tajikistan Resident Mission (TJRM), marking ADB’s first-ever nonsovereign loan in the country, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

Ko Sakamoto, ADB’s Country Director for Tajikistan, called the project a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the bank and the country. “This initiative reflects ADB’s strong commitment to fostering private sector development in Tajikistan,” Sakamoto said. “By collaborating with Tcell, we aim not only to upgrade telecommunications infrastructure but also to create jobs and expand access to essential services including education, healthcare, and digital platforms.”

The Tcell Mobile Network Expansion Project will focus on enhancing the quality and accessibility of mobile services across Tajikistan, particularly in rural areas where over 70 per cent of the population lives. The project also plans to integrate energy-efficient technologies to ensure environmental sustainability.

Ozodkhon Davlatshoev, CEO of Tcell, expressed optimism about the collaboration. “ADB’s support will enable us to modernize our network in alignment with Tajikistan’s national digitalization goals and growing demand for connectivity,” he said. “This funding will address current market needs while setting the stage for 5G rollout in urban centers and significantly improving connectivity in remote rural regions.”

Tcell, Tajikistan’s leading digital communications provider, serves millions with advanced mobile, data, and enterprise solutions. The company plays a crucial role in the country’s digital transformation by expanding reliable, high-quality connectivity across both urban and rural areas, thereby driving socioeconomic development and empowering communities and businesses with future-ready technology.

Established in 1966, ADB is a major multilateral development bank committed to promoting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region, the bank employs innovative financing and partnerships to tackle complex challenges, build infrastructure, improve lives, and protect the environment.