In Central Asia, Expertise France is committed to an ambitious European project to support digital connectivity

Through the launch of the new Equipe Europe Initiative to support digital connectivity in Central Asia, Expertise France is diversifying its activities and fully aligned with the Global Gateway strategy. This €20M programme covers the five countries of Central Asia and aims to expand satellite internet connectivity in the region and thus reduce the digital divide within the territory. The project is complemented by a second 'hard infrastructure' pillar piloted by the European Investment Bank, with the deployment of low-level satellites for connectivity.

Priority topic for the European Commission in the region, the Global Gateway strategy will be at the heart of Central Asia held on 3 and 4 April in Samarkand with the aim of intensifying European engagement through an ambitious offer of cooperation in the region.

In 2015, the AFD Group opened an office in Uzbekistan to support the country’s economic, social and environmental transformation. In 2020, Expertise France began its activities in the country with a first project on green economic governance.  The year 2023 was marked by a significant increase in the activity of Expertise France, with the start of two new projects aimed at improving good governance and promoting green energy with funding from AFD, and co-financing with the Asian Development Bank. In the presence of Mr Norkulov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance, the Director-General of Expertise France signed a partnership agreement, Strengthening the agency’s commitment to collaboration and knowledge exchange in energy policy and climate support.

In Kazakhstan, in November 2023, an intergovernmental agreement was signed to frame AFD’s activities in the country. The AFD Group is thus the first European bilateral actor to have signed such an agreement with the Kazakh government. AFD’s action is oriented towards supporting the fight against climate change and accompanying fair and inclusive transitions. Expertise France complements AFD loans in the health sector by supporting the reform process in this sector and accompanying the development of public health infrastructures.

In Astana, the Director-General met with Mr. Sultangaziev and Mr. Ospanov, both Deputy Ministers of Health. This was an opportunity to value the successful collaboration in health and more specifically telemedicine with the deployment of a successful regional program that will be rolled out nationally.

The launch of the Europe team digital connectivity initiative during this mission opened up new opportunities for cooperation and created a link between the various sectors in which Expertise France is involved. Ways to develop the e-health sector were discussed. A visit to the Ghalam Centre enabled a fruitful exchange on satellite data management for agricultural innovation and planning, higher education and digital.

The issue of strengthening the trans-Caspian corridor was also discussed at length with our partners in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The European Union is now planning to develop major programmes in the region, in line with its Global Gateway strategy. In support of the development of the trans-Caspian corridor, Expertise France will continue its commitment to regional connectivity and sustainable economic growth for Central Asia. This project will include the five Central Asian countries through which the corridor passes.