Business · Companies · 2 days ago
Afghanistan expands rail and road infrastructure under Taliban rule
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities are expanding infrastructure, including railways, roads, a water canal and a tunnel through the Hindu Kush mountains.
German businessman Aaron Azim, who has Afghan roots, has helped build transport projects and operates businesses in the country.
A rail line carries freight from Iran to Rozanak in western Afghanistan, where goods are transferred to trucks for onward transport.
Azim says the station handles 120,000 tonnes of goods each month, including food and industrial products.
His planned rail link is intended to connect Herat with Iran, but more than 40 kilometres of track to Herat remain unfinished.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Afghanistan has been cut off from many former sources of funding, while the authorities have pursued investment and trade with neighbouring countries.
These links could make Afghanistan a more important route for regional trade, but the sources do not say when the unfinished railway will be completed.
Afghanistan is expanding rail and road infrastructure under Taliban rule, with projects aimed at improving trade and links to neighbouring countries.
At the Rozanak rail terminal in western Afghanistan, more than 100 trucks wait to collect goods from incoming trains, according to the article.
Businessman Aaron Azim says 120,000 tonnes of goods pass through the terminal each month.
The rail link from Mashhad in Iran to Rozanak is complete, but about 40 kilometres remain to connect it to Herat.
A 121-kilometre road to Afghanistan’s narrow border with China was officially opened the previous Sunday.
- Who
- The Taliban are overseeing infrastructure expansion. Afghan-born German businessman Aaron Azim is involved in rail and other infrastructure projects.
- What
- Afghanistan is expanding its rail and road infrastructure, including a rail link toward Herat and a newly opened road toward China.
- When
- The article was published on October 9, 2026. The road to the China border opened the previous Sunday.
- Where
- Afghanistan, including the Rozanak terminal in the west and a road in the northeast near the Chinese border.
- Why
- The projects support trade and transport links with neighbouring countries and address infrastructure needs, including water supply.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Germans should at least take a look at what is being built here.
more self-sufficient
Economy and mutual cooperation with neighbouring countries and other regions
The United States entered Afghanistan in response to the September 11 attacks, according to the article.
Azim took part in construction work on the Ring Road.
The Taliban returned to power.
The Ring Road was completed, according to the article.
A 121-kilometre road to the Chinese border was officially opened.
- Rozanak terminal
- More than 100 trucks waiting to collect goods
- Freight through Rozanak
- 120,000 tonnes per month, according to Aaron Azim
- Rail connection
- The section from Mashhad, Iran, to Rozanak is complete
- Remaining rail link
- About 40 kilometres to Herat
- Ring Road
- 2,200 kilometres long
- Road to China border
- 121 kilometres, officially opened the previous Sunday










