Tajikistan and the World Bank (WB) have signed an agreement to implement the Tajik Digital Foundations Project, according to the country’s Ministry of Finance.

The document was inked by Faiziddin Qahhorzoda, the Minister of Finance of Tajikistan, and Ozan Sevimli, World Bank Group Country Manager for Tajikistan, in Dushanbe on January 14.

The total value of the agreements amounts to $39 million, of which US$30 million is a grant from the World Bank, and US$9 million is a grant from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

The development objective of the project is to improve the delivery of digitally-enabled public services and to enhance digital skills of the population.

This project has three components: 1) strengthening foundations for safe digital government systems and services; 2) enhancing digital skills; and 3) project management.

As it had been reported earlier, the World Bank approved a comprehensive project to enhance digital services and improve digital skills in Tajikistan on December 17.  The initiative aims to improve the delivery of digitally-enabled public services and boost digital literacy, fostering a more inclusive and resilient economy.

The Tajikistan Digital Foundations Project, with a total funding of US$39 million, is supported by an International Development Association (IDA) grant of US$30 million and an initial US$9 million grant from the Government of Switzerland.

The project will benefit citizens, businesses, and the government by enhancing the quality, accessibility, and transparency of public services.  In addition, over 28,000 individuals will gain digital skills, with 2,000 targeted by advanced courses aimed at improving job prospects.  The extension of resilient broadband connectivity to at least 100 schools (and public entities in the vicinity) will improve learning environments and contribute to narrowing the digital divide in rural areas.

Businesses will benefit from a more conducive and safer legal and regulatory framework that will enhance trust in digital transactions, improved government-to-business (G2B) services and digital platforms, a growing digital-savvy consumer base, and strengthened digital talent.  The project will also provide catalytic public funding to expand school connectivity, with the objective to mobilize private capital to bring internet connectivity in today’s unconnected areas.