The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is supporting the modernization of Uzbekistan’s railway sector through a new loan of up to €38.4 million for the digital transformation of the country’s national rail operator, O‘zbekiston temir yo‘llari (Uzbekistan Railways).
The project aims to improve the efficiency, safety, and reliability of rail transport by introducing advanced digital systems for traffic and transportation management. It marks the EBRD’s first public-sector digitalization project in Uzbekistan and represents a significant step toward modernizing the country’s transport infrastructure.
Uzbekistan Railways operates a network spanning nearly 7,000 kilometers and handles a substantial share of the country’s freight transportation. The investment will support the introduction of modern software for dispatching, scheduling, operational control, and traffic management, replacing manual processes with more efficient digital solutions.
A key component of the project is the enhancement of cybersecurity systems to protect critical railway infrastructure and operations. The upgraded security measures will be aligned with international best practices, helping strengthen resilience against evolving digital threats.
The modernization initiative is expected to improve cargo and passenger transport services, increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and facilitate smoother traffic flows along important regional trade routes, including the Trans-Caspian Corridor.
By embracing digital technologies, Uzbekistan Railways aims to establish new industry standards while supporting the country’s broader goals of economic modernization and infrastructure development.
The EBRD remains one of Uzbekistan’s leading development partners, with investments totaling nearly US$6.9 billion across more than 200 projects that support private-sector growth, sustainable infrastructure, and economic reform.
