In brief
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum signed a 275‑million‑dollar natural gas agreement with Azizi Group to explore and extract gas in Jawzjan province. The 30‑year contract covers over 3,000 square kilometres and is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs and generate 1,000 MW of electricity. The deal fits into a broader strategy to unlock the country’s mineral, oil and gas resources and improve energy security.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum signed a 275‑million‑dollar natural‑gas agreement with the domestic Azizi Group to explore and extract reserves in northern Jawzjan province on Wednesday, Nov. 4, according to a statement released by the ministry.
The deal is a 30‑year contract that grants Azizi Group rights to explore and tap gas deposits over more than 3,000 square kilometres in the Jungal Kalan area of the Amu Darya basin, ministry officials said.
Azizi Group is a domestic firm, and the partnership will file under Afghanistan’s domestic policy to encourage national industry participation in resource extraction, the ministry noted.
Minister Mullah Hedayatullah Badri said the project could create more than 2,000 jobs during its implementation phase.
Once fully operational, the venture is expected to generate around 1,000 megawatts of electricity, the ministry added.
The agreement comes amid a series of contracts signed with both domestic and international companies aimed at unlocking Afghanistan’s mineral, oil and gas resources, boosting energy security, and stimulating economic growth, officials said.
Jawzjan province is in northern Afghanistan and sits within the Amu Darya basin, a region known for its hydrocarbon deposits.
The ministry highlighted the contract’s socioeconomic impact as a key driver for improving livelihoods in the region.
The 30‑year duration is intended to sustain long‑term development and ensure continuous extraction activities through the life of the project.
The government anticipates that the increased energy output could alleviate power shortages in Kabul and other major cities, reducing dependence on diesel imports, officials said.
Azizi Group will coordinate with the ministry’s geological survey division to assess gas reserves and determine extraction feasibility before the official start of operations, the agency disclosed.