Afghanistan and Kazakhstan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct the Towrgondi–Spin Boldak railway corridor, with the first phase covering the 113 km Towrgondi–Herat rail section. The second phase of the project will extend the line from Herat to Kandahar, and onward to Spin Boldak. This corridor is seen as a catalyst for unlocking untapped trade potential and fostering economic interdependence across the broader region.
This corridor is seen as a catalyst for unlocking untapped trade potential and fostering economic interdependence across the broader region.
The agreement was signed by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works and the Vice Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Maksat Kaliakparov, in the presence of Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murat Nurtleu.
The new railway line will be built in two phases across Afghan territory. The first phase involves the construction of the Towrgondi–Herat rail section, along with the development of a transport and logistics hub in the city of Herat. The second phase will extend the line from Herat to Spin Boldak, passing through Kandahar.
The entire corridor will traverse Afghanistan along a north–south axis, from Towrgondi in the north, on the border with Turkmenistan, to Spin Boldak in the eastern part of Kandahar Province, near the border with Pakistan. Towrgondi and Spin Boldak are situated approximately 790 kilometres apart. This distance underscores the strategic importance of establishing a direct railway link between the two cities, which would significantly enhance regional trade and connectivity. The improved infrastructure along this route is expected to strengthen economic integration between Central and South Asia.
The Towrgondi–Herat–Kandahar–Spin Boldak railway forms part of the Central Asia–South Asia (CASA) rail corridor. The signed MoU outlines the guiding principles for the construction and future operation of the line. Once completed, the railway is expected to serve as a critical segment of a broader transnational freight corridor running through Afghanistan, offering the shortest and most efficient southern route for cargo transportation. The line will also improve domestic connectivity, helping stimulate local economies and reduce transportation costs.
For Kazakhstan, its participation in the project carries strategic weight. It aims to expand regional transit routes, improve transport and logistics ties with South Asia, and secure overland access to Indian Ocean ports. The proposed railway, cutting across Afghanistan, is set to become a key component of an international freight corridor, offering a faster, more direct southern route for trade. As a strategically important infrastructure initiative, the railway enhances Kazakhstan’s role as a regional transit hub, facilitates faster access to global markets, reduces reliance on longer northern routes, and bolsters Kazakhstan’s position within regional geopolitical and economic frameworks.
This MoU builds upon a protocol of intent signed by both countries in April 2025, which included Kazakhstan’s participation in the new rail corridor. That protocol also envisaged the possibility of establishing a joint venture involving the railways of Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan under the jurisdiction of the International Financial Centre.
In addition to the railway construction, a fibre-optic cable will be installed alongside the route. This will support the development of digital infrastructure along the transport corridor, enhancing communication systems and the safety and monitoring of train operations. It will also create opportunities to connect nearby communities to high-speed internet in the future. The integration of digital technologies alongside physical infrastructure aims to support long-term regional development and innovation.
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