Rail freight transport between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan has experienced remarkable growth in the first five months of the current year, effectively doubling compared to the same period last year.
Kabul 24: According to official statistics from Uzbekistan Railways, more than 41,000 wagons — equivalent to over 2.7 million tons of goods — have been transported through the rail network linking the two countries.
This marks a significant increase from the 20,415 wagons recorded during the same period last year, confirming a precise doubling of rail transport volume.Shermat Qodirov, Deputy Head of Surkhandarya Railways in Uzbekistan, confirmed the figures: “In the first five months of 2025, approximately 20,415 wagons were transferred, while in the same period this year, the number has risen to around 40 to 41 thousand wagons.”Afghan businessmen view the expansion of rail trade as a major step toward more efficient commerce. Merchant Zabihullah Kahmerdi highlighted the practical benefits: “Rail transport is both cheaper and faster. While moving goods by truck can take up to 15 days, a wagon can be unloaded, loaded, and cleared through the border via railway in just four to a maximum of five days.”Another trader, Esmatullah Ishaqzai, emphasized additional advantages: “Using the railway prevents time wastage, significantly reduces transportation costs, and ensures goods are moved safely from one location to another.”Experts and business leaders believe that further development of railways and the full implementation of the Afghan-Trans project will play a pivotal role in strengthening Afghanistan’s transit position. Connecting the Afghan-Trans rail line to Torkham and Iran is considered a strategic breakthrough that would transform Afghanistan from a landlocked mountainous country into a vital heartbeat of transit between Central and South Asia.
The current rail traffic is not limited to bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. It also facilitates the transit of goods from Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
This broader role underscores the growing importance of the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan rail corridor in regional trade and connectivity.Analysts see this doubling of rail freight as evidence of improving economic ties between the two neighbors.
It also sets a positive precedent for wider regional cooperation in transport infrastructure.
Sustained investment in expanding rail lines, streamlining customs procedures, and increasing border station capacity could accelerate this growth and help position Afghanistan as one of the region’s key transit corridors.
This development comes at a time when countries in the region are actively seeking secure and cost-effective trade routes, offering Afghanistan a historic opportunity to leverage its unique geographical location for greater economic integration and prosperity.
