Business
ADB approves $50 million grant for Afghanistan’s COVID vaccine campaign
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday approved a $50 million grant to help the Afghan government procure and deploy safe, high-quality COVID-19 vaccines, and strengthen the country’s capacity to implement its vaccine program.
The ADB said in a statement that the project will support the National Plan for COVID-19 Vaccination in Afghanistan by procuring and transporting six million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for priority segments of the population, as determined by the government.
“As Afghanistan continues to grapple with COVID-19, this project will help ensure that safe and high-quality vaccines are made available to the Afghan people,” said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.
“Making vaccines available to vulnerable groups and strengthening Afghanistan’s immunization program will help to save lives and is a vital step toward recovery.
This support is part of ADB’s strong commitment to helping Afghanistan overcome the pandemic and achieve a sustainable economic recovery,” Asakawa said.
Under its national plan, the Afghan government aims to vaccinate all eligible people including vulnerable groups, approximately 60 percent of the total population.
ADB’s COVID-19 Vaccine Support Project will provide financing to procure vaccines for at least 2.6 million people, or about 11 percent of the eligible population, including through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX)
Advance Market Commitment facility.
The grant will also strengthen the Ministry of Public Health’s capacity in planning,
communications, coordination, and implementation of the vaccine program at national and provincial levels.
According to the ADB, technical training including specialized gender sessions will ensure that vaccines are administered to women in a culturally sensitive manner and a waste management firm will be engaged to build capacity for proper disposal of medical waste.
ADB estimates that Afghanistan’s GDP contracted by five percent in 2020 as the pandemic forced business closures and disrupted supply chains.
Unemployment is projected to have risen from 23.9 percent in 2019 to 37.9 percent in 2020 adding to the negative pressures of increased costs of food,
housing, and health services.
ADB’s grant complements other development partners’ efforts and contributes to fostering growth in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation region through addressing pandemic risks and cross-border health threats.
Afghan health officials meanwhile said Tuesday that the number of coronavirus infections has increased in Afghanistan recently.
The Ministry of Public Health said 176 new cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths were reported in the past 24 hours across Afghanistan.
According to the ministry 28 others recovered in the mentioned time.
The ministry warned a lockdown will be imposed in major cities including Kabul if people fail to take the necessary precautions to help curb the spread of the virus.
Nooruddin Azizi, Minister of Industry and Commerce of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), during his official visit to Termez, Uzbekistan, met with Jamshid Khodjayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, to discuss expanding bilateral economic ties.
The meeting was attended by Mohammad Yousuf Wafa, Governor of Balkh, Abdul Ghaffar Bahr, Afghan Ambassador to Tashkent, and several representatives from Afghanistan’s private sector. The two sides held extensive talks on enhancing trade relations, increasing trade volumes, expanding transit routes, removing trade barriers, and promoting joint economic initiatives.
Minister Azizi emphasized the growing partnership between the two countries and stressed the need to accelerate the implementation of agreements while providing greater support and facilities for traders and investors.
Deputy Prime Minister Khodjayev welcomed the Afghan delegation, highlighting the interest of Uzbek investors in sectors such as agriculture, mining, transport, infrastructure, and health. He also announced Uzbekistan’s readiness to deploy technical teams to support the execution of joint projects.
Azizi expressed Afghanistan’s full commitment to cooperating on shared economic initiatives, while representatives from the Afghan private sector shared their proposals, emphasizing the importance of closer collaboration between the two countries’ private sectors.
The meeting also included participation from Uzbekistan’s Ministers of Transport, Agriculture, Energy, and Health, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and several provincial governors, who joined online.
Rail freight between Iran and Afghanistan has increased 17-fold during the 1404 solar year, underscoring a sharp rise in cross-border trade and transit activity, Iranian officials say.
Shahryar Naqizada, Director General of Foreign Trade for Iran’s Railway, told state news agency IRNA that between March 2025 and February 2026, some 650,000 tons of goods were transported to Afghanistan by rail.
Of that total, approximately 150,000 tons consisted of transit cargo — goods originating in third countries and routed through Iran before entering Afghanistan.
The surge reflects Tehran’s broader push to strengthen regional connectivity and position itself as a key trade corridor linking Central Asia to international markets.
Rail links between the two neighbors have become increasingly important as Afghanistan seeks alternative trade routes and more cost-effective import channels.
A major driver of this growth is the Khaf–Herat railway line, which connects northeastern Iran to western Afghanistan and has gradually expanded commercial operations in recent years.
The line reduces transport costs and transit times compared to road freight, while also improving reliability for bulk commodities such as construction materials, fuel, food products, and industrial goods.
Looking ahead, Naqizada said Iran aims to move two million tons of cargo through the Shamtigh border crossing in the 1405 solar year (2026–2027), calling the target achievable given current momentum.
The increase in rail shipments comes amid expanding economic engagement between the two countries, including discussions on infrastructure investment, transit cooperation, and agricultural trade.
Analysts say improved rail connectivity could further integrate Afghanistan into regional supply chains, particularly if complementary customs and logistics systems are strengthened on both sides of the border.
Iran is exploring ways to deepen economic engagement with Afghanistan, focusing on contract farming and trade, as discussions continue over potential formal recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) government, a senior Iranian business official said.
According to Iran News Daily, Mahmoud Siadat, head of the Iran–Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, said recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would boost investor confidence and facilitate long-term projects, including rail links connecting Iran to China via Afghanistan.
While no formal recognition has been confirmed, Siadat noted that bilateral relations have steadily improved.
Iran exports over $3 billion in goods and services annually to Afghanistan, including technical and engineering services, while Afghan exports to Iran remain limited at around $100 million.
Siadat highlighted agriculture as a key growth area, with plans for contract farming where Iranian firms would provide technology, expertise, and guaranteed purchase agreements for Afghan crops and livestock.
“Instead of importing legumes from Canada, we can source them from Afghanistan,” he said, noting that structured agricultural cooperation could benefit both countries.
Remittances from Afghans working in Iran, he added, further underline the strong economic ties between the neighbors.
Even without formal recognition, trade remains robust, but Siadat emphasized that a clear diplomatic framework could unlock more investment and strategic projects.
Afghan FM Muttaqi discusses Pakistan tensions with Qatari and Saudi officials
Israel says it launched pre-emptive attack against Iran
Afghan forces conduct fresh airstrikes on Pakistani military targets
Pakistani military jet downed in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, pilot captured alive
UAE and Iran call for diplomatic resolution to Afghanistan–Pakistan tensions
IEA releases three Pakistani soldiers to mark Ramadan
AFC Futsal Asian Cup: Afghanistan to face Iran in crucial Group D clash
Afghanistan’s Chief of Armed Forces underscores readiness and equipment for national defense
Afghanistan welcomes investment and technology partnerships with India
Afghanistan shine on Day Two of AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026
Tahawol: Carrying out retaliatory operations against Pakistan discussed
Saar: Resumption of retaliatory operations against Pakistan discussed
Tahawol: IEA’s military response against Pakistan discussed
Saar: Discussion on silence over Pakistan’s attacks in Afghanistan
Tahawol: Reviewing relations between Pakistan, Qatar and Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoRussia estimates up to 23,000 terrorists present in Afghanistan
-
Latest News23 hours agoAfghan Air Force conducts airstrikes in Islamabad, other cities
-
Latest News5 days ago
IEA rejects Russia’s claims of foreign militants in Afghanistan
-
Latest News5 days agoUNAMA reports civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan
-
International Sports4 days agoAFC Champions League Elite gears up for Round of 16 as league stage concludes
-
Sport4 days agoRichard Pybus appointed as head coach of Afghanistan’s national cricket team
-
Latest News19 hours agoIEA: Special circle in Pakistan has launched mission to destabilize region
-
World2 days agoIndia’s Modi backs Israel in address at Israeli parliament