Afghan Rail Imports Are Booming, but Transit Is Still Barely a Thing

Why It Matters

The rapid import growth improves Afghanistan’s access to essential supplies, yet the failure to develop a trans‑Afghan rail corridor limits regional trade diversification and economic integration.

Key Takeaways

• Rail freight volume rose 39.1% to over 6.1 million tonnes.
• Imports dominate, with Hairatan handling 4.2 million tonnes.
• Exports and transit together under 2% of total rail traffic.
• Torghundi terminal upgrade funded partly by Turkmenistan.
• Trans‑Afghan corridor remains unrealized despite regional interest.

Pulse Analysis

Afghanistan’s rail network is experiencing an unprecedented surge in freight volume, largely fueled by imports that feed a fragile domestic market. Between March 2025 and March 2026 the Ministry of Public Works recorded 6.12 million tonnes moved through three key terminals—Hairatan, Aqina and Torghundi—plus the Khaf‑Herat line to Iran. Hairatan, linked to Uzbekistan, alone processed 4.2 million tonnes, underscoring its role as the country’s primary gateway for oil, liquefied gas, wheat, cement and other critical inputs. This influx reflects coordinated planning, infrastructure upgrades, and active monitoring by technical staff, positioning rail as a vital conduit for humanitarian and reconstruction needs.

Despite the import boom, Afghanistan’s ambition to become a transit hub for Central Asian trade remains stalled. Exports and through‑traffic together represent only about 75,000 tonnes, a fraction of total movements, because there is no continuous cross‑country railway. Regional powers such as Uzbekistan and China have signed agreements to explore a trans‑Afghan corridor that could link the Silk Road to the Indian Ocean, yet funding delays and security concerns have kept the project on the periphery. Multimodal solutions—combining rail, road and river—are currently the only viable option for moving goods across the country, limiting the efficiency gains that a dedicated rail line would deliver.

Looking ahead, infrastructure projects like the Torghundi terminal expansion, reportedly supported by Turkmenistan, signal a commitment to strengthening border facilities. If coupled with sustained investment and a clear political framework, these upgrades could lay the groundwork for a future transit corridor slated for completion around 2028. A functional trans‑Afghan railway would diversify trade routes, lower logistics costs for landlocked neighbors, and potentially attract new foreign direct investment, reshaping the region’s economic landscape.