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Turning regional connectivity into investable projects was the focus of the German-Azerbaijani Connectivity Conference 2026, hosted by AHK Azerbaijan on 6 October. Bringing together government representatives, business leaders and financial institutions, including more than 35 guests from Germany, the conference examined how transport, energy and digital networks could create new opportunities for bilateral cooperation.
Welcoming participants, Nargis Wieck, Executive Director of AHK Azerbaijan, highlighted the importance of translating strong bilateral trade relations into joint projects and closer integration of German and Azerbaijani companies into international value chains. She also underlined the role of the German-Azerbaijani Business Advisory Council in connecting government and business, addressing barriers and advancing concrete opportunities for cooperation.
This outlook was reinforced by H.E. Dirk Lölke, German Ambassador to Azerbaijan, who highlighted renewed momentum following President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to Berlin and the Joint Declaration on the Strategic Agenda of Bilateral Partnership. He expressed confidence that connectivity could become a second pillar of the countries’ economic relationship alongside energy.
Samad Bashirli, Deputy Minister of Economy, outlined how German manufacturers could establish operations in Azerbaijan, benefiting from the country's stable macroeconomic environment, favorable investment climate and transit-logistics potential, and highlighted new state support mechanisms for entrepreneurs. He presented the Alat Free Economic Zone as a platform for export-oriented production, alongside opportunities for private investment in various fields of economy, including industry, logistics facilities and digital services.
Energy cooperation provided another important dimension. Elnur Soltanov, Deputy Minister of Energy, noted that natural gas supplies had expanded Azerbaijan’s longstanding energy partnership with Germany. Looking ahead, he identified renewable energy, energy efficiency and electricity interconnections as priorities, highlighting plans for 8 GW of wind and solar projects by 2032. The aim, he explained, is to connect Azerbaijan’s energy potential to European markets through the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe Green Energy Corridor and complementary regional routes.
The second part of the conference began with a keynote address by Rashad Hasanov, Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport, who highlighted Azerbaijan’s ambition to become a regional hub for leading international technology companies. Emphasizing the country’s strategic location and growing digital infrastructure, he noted that Azerbaijan aims to position itself as a regional base for global technology firms. He underlined the importance of digitalization in enhancing the efficiency of the Middle Corridor and strengthening Azerbaijan’s role as a bridge between Europe and Asia.
Building on these perspectives, the conference featured four panel discussions covering infrastructure and energy, investment financing, transport and logistics, and digitalization. Industry leaders, policymakers and financial institutions explored opportunities to accelerate connectivity projects, mobilize investment and strengthen regional cooperation along the Middle Corridor.
Three business-to-government roundtables followed, focusing on transport and logistics infrastructure, the green energy transition, and digitalisation and trade. These sessions enabled direct exchanges between companies and public-sector representatives on project needs, investment conditions and practical barriers to implementation.
By connecting policy priorities with company expertise and financing options, the conference supported AHK Azerbaijan’s work to advance joint projects and strengthen long-term German-Azerbaijani business partnerships.
AHK Azerbaijan thanks its Exclusive Platinum Partners, Alat Free Economic Zone and Azer Turk Bank; Platinum Partners, Commerzbank, Rhenus Logistics, Roland Berger and Silk Way West Airlines; and Gold Partners, PASHA Holding, PwC and VNG, for their support.
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