WASHINGTON, July 1, 2026-The World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved a major project to modernize Tajikistan's water and irrigation systems and support ongoing reforms, bringing improved irrigation services and economic opportunity to approximately 470,000 farmers and rural community members across the country.
The Second Strengthening Water and Irrigation Management (SWIM-2) project will be financed by a $75 million grant from the International Development Association (IDA). The project will rehabilitate and modernize irrigation infrastructure serving 100,000 hectares of agricultural land, while advancing institutional reforms to improve how water resources are planned and managed; and how irrigation services are delivered across Tajikistan's river basins.
"This investment reflects the World Bank's deep commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable future for Tajikistan," said Gael Raballand, the World Bank Group Country Manager for Tajikistan. "By modernizing the systems that farmers depend on every day, the country can unlock its agricultural potential, strengthen food security, and build a resilient economy."
SWIM-2 will rehabilitate at least 20 pumping stations and major gravity irrigation infrastructure, including the Dangara diversion tunnel and the Beshkent hydrotechnical facility. These upgrades are expected to raise water conveyance efficiency from 60 to 80 percent and generate cumulative energy savings of 65,000 MWh, reducing emissions by an estimated 29,000 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. The project is also expected to support the creation of 8,160 new and better-paid jobs, while rendering approximately 180,000 existing agricultural livelihoods resilient to climate variability and increasing food security for an estimated 200,000 people.
The project is anchored by a strong institutional reform agenda. Alongside infrastructure investment, SWIM-2 will support the digital transformation of Tajikistan's national water and irrigation management systems, strengthen Water User Associations and Basin Irrigation Scheme Administrations, and establish a Carbon Finance Program - positioning the sector to generate climate finance revenue over the long term.
SWIM-2 benefits from robust international partnerships. The OPEC Fund for International Development and the Islamic Development Bank have each pledged $50 million in co-financing for infrastructure works, bringing the potential total financing to approximately $175 million, subject to formal confirmation of additional financing pledges. Analytical and technical support for the project has been provided by the Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP) Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of financing and knowledge for developing countries. It is committed to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. The International Development Association (IDA) is currently financing 25 projects in Tajikistan, totaling $1.93 billion. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) maintains an investment portfolio of $69 million, supporting seven private sector clients.
