The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan has published a Tajik-language version of an interview posted by the Alliance for Financial Inclusion with its chair, Firdavs Tolibzoda, summarising progress under Tajikistan’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy for 2022–2026, including growth in digital financial services and wider access to the financial system. The interview reports that the country now has 65 credit institutions and that key banking indicators such as deposits, lending, account opening and non-cash transactions have increased. It states that 90% of access-related indicators and 81% of usage-related indicators under the strategy have been achieved, including an 11-fold increase in customers accessing accounts via mobile or internet, ATMs at 34% above target, electronic payment terminals at 14% above target, and growth in customers making or accepting digital payments of 260%. The central bank highlights reforms supporting digital payments, including the introduction of a unified QR code system in 2022 aligned to EMV standards and its integration into the national instant payment system in 2023, alongside a regulatory framework for digital financial services covering remote and third-party identification, unified requirements for integrating bank cards and e-wallets, and use of the unified QR code. Non-cash payments in the first half of 2025 exceeded 56.3 million transactions worth more than USD 2 billion, up 34.9% by number and 51.0% by value year on year; the interview also notes more than USD 2 billion in bank lending to women during 2020–2024 and increased financial literacy activity since 2022. Next steps include submitting a draft government decision on a “Programme to Raise the Financial Literacy of the Population for 2026–2030” for approval by end-2025, and further priorities spanning access in remote and mountainous regions, improved measurement of financial services usage, support for women, youth, SMEs and vulnerable groups, FinTech development, and stronger consumer protection in digital financial services and insurance.
National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan 2025-08-27
National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan outlines financial inclusion progress in AFI interview and prepares 2026–2030 financial literacy programme
The National Bank of the Republic of Tajikistan reported significant progress under its National Financial Inclusion Strategy for 2022–2026, highlighting increased digital financial services and access to the financial system. Achievements include a rise in non-cash transactions, the introduction of a unified QR code system, and substantial bank lending to women. Future priorities focus on financial literacy, access in remote areas, and enhanced consumer protection in digital services.