The National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) has issued an official statement denying recent media reports about a shortage of U.S. dollars at local currency exchange points. The central bank insists that demand for foreign currency is being fully met by the country’s banking system.
In its response, the NBT emphasized that financial and credit institutions (FCIs) regularly receive cash foreign currency for sale to individuals, sourced both domestically and internationally. The central bank, for its part, supplies U.S. dollars to these institutions based on formal requests and without any restrictions.
“There are no limitations imposed by the NBT on supplying U.S. dollar banknotes to FCIs. On the contrary, all submitted requests are being fulfilled in full and on time,” the statement read.
The financial regulator also clarified that no additional requirements or restrictions have been placed on official exchange points regarding foreign currency sales.
“Each FCI allocates cash foreign currency daily based on the location of its branches, the volume of demand, and operational capacity. For instance, from January to August 2025, the volume of foreign currency allocated to the public increased compared to the same period in 2024,” the bank noted.
While acknowledging that temporary shortages may occur in exceptional cases—such as when all available currency is sold out or delivery delays arise—the central bank stressed that these are isolated incidents and do not reflect the broader market situation.
The NBT also reminded citizens that all bank branches and currency exchange points are equipped with a dedicated “hotline” for consumer complaints and inquiries.
“Citizens are encouraged to report any concerns directly,” the statement concluded.
Since the beginning of the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the gradual shift from the U.S. dollar to the Russian ruble in Tajik-Russian trade settlements, Tajikistan has largely avoided widespread currency shortages that were common before 2022. However, recent months have seen a rise in public complaints over the lack of dollars at exchange points.
