“WE BUILT SUCCESS BY PAIRING GLOBAL STANDARDS WITH LOCAL TRUST, MAKING TCELL A RELIABLE NATIONAL ASSET AND A LONG-TERM PARTNER FOR TAJIKISTAN’S DIGITAL FUTURE.”

WHAT FACTORS HAVE ENABLED YOU TO BUILD SUCH A STRONG LOCAL PRESENCE WHILE MAINTAINING HIGH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS?

As a foreign direct investment company, Tcell has always believed that authentic leadership lies in striking a balance between global excellence and local trust. From the very beginning, our mission has been to bring the best global technologies, governance models, and service standards into Tajikistan, while adapting them to the country’s culture and realities.

This dual perspective—international in quality and local in character—has enabled us to earn the trust of nearly three million subscribers, over 500 dedicated employees, and, importantly, the trust of the Government of Tajikistan as a reliable long-term partner. Tcell today also caters to many Government and security needs of the country, providing dedicated, safe, and reliable services for the critical functions of the state and society.

The consistency of this approach has been the foundation of our success, allowing Tcell to achieve a dominating market share in the country. Moreover, Tcell is today among the top 10 largest taxpayers in Tajikistan, underscoring our contribution not only to the digital economy but also to the nation’s fiscal strength and long-term development.

Today, Tcell is not only a successful company but also a national asset and a source of pride for Tajikistan. We are proud to say that Tcell has been one of the most successful investments—building strong partnerships and exceeding the expectations of our key stakeholders: the People of Tajikistan, the Government of Tajikistan, our Shareholders, and our Partners.

TCELL HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS TO TAJIKISTAN’S DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND INCLUSION. WHAT HAS DRIVEN THESE DECISIONS, AND HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR ROLE IN SUPPORTING THE COUNTRY’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY?

At the core of our mission is a simple but profound commitment: to improve the quality of life for the people of Tajikistan. To achieve this, we have taken it upon ourselves to introduce the latest global technologies, bridging the digital divide, expanding connectivity, and promoting economic inclusion. We have consistently delivered on this promise. From enabling the first digital call in the country to securing the first 5G licence in the region, and this year successfully launching 5G commercially in Tajikistan, we have always stayed ahead of the curve. We were also the pioneers in bringing superfast broadband, the first digital wallet, and a comprehensive big data architecture to the market.

Over the years, Tcell has invested more than $ 500 million in capital expenditures, expanding the reach of our network and catering to the ever-growing demand for digital connectivity. Tcell today owns the most extensive network infrastructure in Tajikistan. The fibre-optic cables and digital highways we operate, if placed end to end, are equivalent to the diameter of the Moon. This unparalleled infrastructure empowers us to connect every corner of the country and lay the foundation for a digital economy.

We were the first to enable a virtual operator model in the country. Today, Tcell stands as a fully equipped mobile virtual enabler (MVE), capable of hosting not only MVNO but also a wide range of digital and technological platforms that will drive the next chapter of Tajikistan’s digital transformation. This model enables us to further close the digital divide by providing more affordable and flexible solutions to all segments of society, ensuring that connectivity and digital services are accessible to every household and community.

The Government of Tajikistan, and in particular His Excellency President Emomali Rahmon’s vision, is the correct path toward achieving complete digitalization of the economy. We at Tcell are fortunate not only to contribute, but also to stand as the partner of choice for the Government in this ambitious and exciting journey. We see ourselves as enablers of the country’s broader digital strategy, not just service providers. By laying down infrastructure and creating inclusive platforms, we are helping to unlock the conditions for new industries, entrepreneurship, and knowledge economies to flourish.

HOW DO YOU INTEGRATE SOCIAL IMPACT INTO YOUR BUSINESS STRATEGY, AND WHAT LESSONS MIGHT THIS OFFER TO OTHER FOREIGN INVESTORS?

For us, business, social, and environmental responsibility are not separate—they are interconnected. We approach initiatives in education, health, connectivity, and sustainability with the same rigor and innovation as our commercial projects. Tcell has always been very environmentally conscious and socially responsible, aligning our growth with the well-being of communities and the protection of nature.

Every decision has ripple effects across society. By sponsoring youth sports, cycling, and football, enabling e-learning platforms, and connecting remote villages, we are not only fulfilling corporate responsibility, but we are also shaping the capabilities of future citizens, customers, and leaders. Beyond infrastructure, we also invest in nurturing local talents—whether in sports, music, or education—because empowering creativity and potential builds long-term social capital for the nation.

Equally, we are committed to supporting start-ups in the digital and AI sphere, helping to create a new generation of entrepreneurs who can scale their innovations locally and regionally. At the same time, we actively promote women as leaders, managers, and successful role models because true digital transformation must also reflect inclusivity and equal opportunity.

For foreign investors, this is the key lesson: in Tajikistan, sustainability and profitability grow from the same roots.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS EVALUATING TAJIKISTAN AS A DESTINATION?

Tajikistan is a country of both resilience and untapped potential. The market rewards investors who bring not just capital, but vision and patience. Our own experience proves that if you commit to world-class standards, build strong local partnerships, and embrace social responsibility as part of your model, Tajikistan can offer both growth and legacy.

The most valuable investments are those that create ecosystems, not just financial returns. In Tajikistan today, opportunities lie not only in telecoms and digital services, but also in emerging sectors such as smart cities, smart agriculture, big data, data centres, and computing power for AI—leveraging the country’s abundant green energy resources and natural advantages. From fintech and e-health to agri-innovation and renewable-powered digital infrastructure, Tajikistan offers investors a chance to help shape the next phase of inclusive and sustainable growth.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2030, WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR TCELL’S CONTINUED CONTRIBUTION TO TAJIKISTAN?

By 2030, we see Tcell not just as a telecom operator, but as a trusted digital partner in Tajikistan’s modern, inclusive economy. We want to stand as an enabler of people’s aspirations: whether that is a student accessing global knowledge, a farmer using digital marketplaces, an entrepreneur scaling ideas through AI, or a grandmother connecting with her grandchild studying far from home.

Tcell will stand not only as an innovative, reliable technology and digital enabler but also as an intelligent operator—helping shape the future of Tajikistan through trustworthy big data analytics that support not only businesses, but also infrastructure planning and social development. In addition, Tcell will make a significant contribution to internet safety and cybersecurity, given its pivotal role in providing access and connectivity to the economy.

We have lived through a very successful 25 years of our existence alongside more than 34 years of Tajikistan’s independence, and in that time have seen the value and reliability of being a long-term partner while sustaining both the financial and social benefits of this investment in the country. Today, Tajikistan is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and Tcell is prepared to make the next leap of 25 years—so that we may look back on 50 years of success and legacy in our enduring partnership with the Government of Tajikistan. Tcell is the product of Independence, Partnership, Impact and Vision!