EBRD, ADB Back Major Road Improvement Project in Tajikistan

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a loan to finance the upgrade and expansion of the Dangara-Guliston road in Tajikistan.

Built in the 1930s as part of a major international highway, this road serves as a crucial link between the north and south of the Khatlon region, an area that produces more than 53% of Tajikistan’s agricultural output and is home to 35% of the country’s population, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

The EBRD’s sovereign loan of up to €38 million will help finance improvements to a 49-kilometer section of the road, including the construction of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $86.7 million (€83.5 million) in grant financing to support the project.

The upgrades will convert the existing single-lane road into a dual-lane highway, significantly improving transportation efficiency and reducing cargo delivery times across the Khatlon region and beyond. Additionally, the upgraded road will feature:

• Improved lighting
• Cycle paths
• Pavements for pedestrians

This will be one of the first roads in Tajikistan equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs), encouraging wider EV adoption in the country.

The EBRD will also provide a technical cooperation grant to develop a national electric mobility action plan, aimed at stimulating public and private investment in sustainable transportation infrastructure across Tajikistan.

To date, the EBRD has invested over €1 billion in Tajikistan through 183 projects, supporting key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and private enterprise development.