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.
