DP World develops strategic facilities in Afghanistan

DP World Group signed a historic agreement with the government of Afghanistan to develop and operate the most important land border facilities in the country in the Torkham and Hiratan regions.

This partnership represents an important step towards modernizing Afghanistan’s main trade gateways and strengthening its position as a strategic transit corridor linking Central and South Asia.

According to the terms of the agreement, which takes the form of a partnership between the public and private sectors, DP World will conduct a comprehensive technical and financial feasibility study before completing the concession process, while the project is expected to include integrated infrastructure upgrades, advanced cargo handling systems, and the digitization of border operations, to enhance the efficiency, safety and reliability of cross-border trade.

The agreement was signed by the Afghan government, Deputy Minister of Revenue and Customs Administration, Haj Mufti Abdul Matin Saeed, and by DB World, Deputy CEO of DP World Group, Nasser Al Neyadi.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group, said: “Effective trade corridors are a key element in enhancing economic resilience, and Afghanistan is uniquely positioned to benefit from stronger ties with neighboring countries.”

He added: “These gates support huge trade flows, and their modernization will contribute to raising the level of performance with much greater capabilities throughout the region. We are confident that more intelligent border infrastructure and capable management can pave the way to stability and generate opportunities, and we are committed to supporting Afghanistan in its quest to build a more interconnected and prosperous future.”

According to a DB World statement, the project will also prioritize local employment, skills development, and cooperation with partners across Afghanistan, and the Government of Afghanistan will continue to provide sovereign border services, including customs, immigration, security, and regulatory oversight services, and ensure smooth and safe operations in cooperation with the DP World Group.

The Torkham and Hiratan crossings are considered essential arteries for Afghanistan’s trade with its neighbours, and public trade data shows that goods worth several billion dollars move across Afghanistan’s borders annually, with the value of bilateral trade with Pakistan alone exceeding more than $1.6 billion in 2024. Despite the huge volume of trade, limited infrastructure and manual procedures still hinder the efficiency of trade flow, and modernizing these crossings is vital to enhancing Afghanistan’s potential as a regional transit route. President, enabling more stable and secure trade with a large operational capacity.