The French Development Agency (AFD) is preparing to sign new agreements with Uzbekistan worth 300 million euros before the year’s end, marking a significant expansion of a decade-long partnership that has already channeled over 1.6 billion euros into the Central Asian nation’s development trajectory.
The commitment emerged during recent high-level negotiations where Amélie Aubert, AFD’s Regional Director for Central and Eastern Asia, engaged with Uzbek authorities to map out the next chapter of cooperation. The discussions centered on strategic sectors including energy infrastructure, water supply systems, and ecological modernization — all critical components for the country’s industrial and economic advancement.
Over the past ten years, AFD has financed 13 major projects across Uzbekistan, positioning the country among the agency’s twenty largest partners globally. This track record reflects more than just financial flows; it represents a tested framework for implementing complex infrastructure initiatives that directly impact the business environment and investment climate.
Beyond direct financing
The French approach extends beyond traditional project financing. AFD operates through multiple channels, including its private investment arm Proparco, which has deployed 213 million euros into Uzbekistan, and Expertise France, contributing an additional 20 million euros. This diversified structure enables the agency to support both public infrastructure needs and private sector development simultaneously.
“Our partnership reflects a shared vision of inclusive development and environmental responsibility,” Aubert noted, emphasizing the alignment between AFD’s operational approach and Uzbekistan’s reform agenda. The collaboration involves not just capital deployment but also technical expertise transfer and facilitation of private investment flows.
The meeting between Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov and the AFD delegation took place on October 16 at the ministry’s headquarters in Tashkent, part of Aubert’s visit to the capital from October 14 to 16. During her mission, the regional director also met with representatives from international financial institutions and other development partners to coordinate ongoing projects and explore new cooperation directions.
Looking ahead, both sides confirmed their readiness to deepen engagement through new strategic projects. Olivier Granvuanet, AFD’s Country Director for Uzbekistan, characterized 2025 as a pivotal year for preparing “the next stage of deeper, broader, and more ambitious partnership between AFD and Uzbekistan, based on shared goals, mutual trust, and innovation.”
The discussions also touched on sustainable development priorities, implementation of modern technologies, and enhancing efficiency of ongoing initiatives. The focus on infrastructure modernization and energy transition creates tangible opportunities for international companies specializing in construction, building materials, and technical solutions. For businesses in furniture and interior sectors, improved infrastructure means better logistics networks, more reliable energy supply for manufacturing facilities, and enhanced conditions for establishing production operations. The French commitment to long-term partnership — formalized through a cooperation program extending to 2030 — signals stability and predictability that international investors value when evaluating market entry or expansion strategies in Uzbekistan.
