Tomorrow, December 16, President Emomali Rahmon will deliver his annual address to both chambers of Tajikistan’s parliament — and by extension, to the people of the country.
The address traditionally reviews the nation's social and economic development over the past year, outlines priorities for the coming year, and includes directives to ministries and agencies to tackle pressing issues.
In line with tradition, Asia-Plus examined how well the key directives from last year’s address have been implemented. It’s worth noting that many of the president’s remarks and criticisms were delivered both within and outside the official speech.
Wages, pensions, and the inspection moratorium
One of the most anticipated directives each year is the increase in wages, pensions, and student stipends. In his 2024 address, President Rahmon ordered a 10–30% increase starting September 1, 2025, and set the national minimum wage at 1,000 somoni.
Technically, the order was carried out: wages and pensions were increased from September 1 of this year. However, residents say the move was offset by a sharp rise in the cost of food and services.
According to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT), inflation for the first half of the year was 1.8%, driven mainly by a 2.9% increase in food prices and a 3.4% rise in service tariffs.
The president also called for a moratorium on all business inspections — except those conducted by tax authorities — until 2027. A decree was signed on January 10. However, in recent weeks, the Dushanbe mayor’s office reported joint inspections by police and prosecutors at local markets due to rising meat prices. Whether this violates the moratorium remains unclear.
5G, schools, and jobs: promises still unmet
In last year’s address, President Rahmon instructed that 5G internet be introduced across the country within five years to promote digital development. The head of the Communications Service announced that 5G has already been launched in parts of Dushanbe and other major cities, with commercial rollout expected by the end of 2026. However, users report low speeds and no noticeable improvements — particularly in remote areas.
Another persistent issue is the shortage of school places. In 2024, the president said the country lacked over 100,000 student seats (up from 73,000 the previous year). The Ministry of Education did not provide updated figures, and it remains unclear how much progress has been made. While the president inaugurated dozens of new schools this year and regional leaders were instructed to build music schools, the status of these projects is unknown.
Job creation remains a critical challenge. Despite frequent openings of new enterprises during presidential visits, unemployment continues to rise. By late 2025, only 14,600 job vacancies were registered — 9.2% fewer than the previous year. With 88,600 job seekers, that’s six candidates per vacancy. Experts note that many newly created jobs do not offer adequate wages for a decent living.
AI and cashless systems
President Rahmon also called for artificial intelligence to be integrated into public services and registration systems. While some ministries are experimenting — AI lessons were launched in schools, and a university major was introduced — practical use of AI in government services remains virtually nonexistent. The main challenges: a lack of trained specialists and unclear implementation strategies.
The full transition to cashless payments in the public sector is also expected by the end of 2025. Although the system has been formally introduced in many institutions, residents report that in healthcare and education, cashless payment either doesn’t work or is only partially functional.
Energy independence vs. power outages
In last year’s address, President Rahmon announced that Tajikistan would achieve full energy independence by 2027, and that the current winter might be the last with such severe electricity shortages.
In reality, the situation has worsened. Authorities blame low water levels at the Nurek Reservoir, drought conditions, and insufficient rainfall. Residents in many regions report receiving electricity for only 1 to 3 hours a day, often without a clear schedule. While officials insist the problem can still be resolved, public confidence remains low.
Accountability for unmet directives
An overall review shows that some presidential directives were fulfilled, others only partially, and some not at all. Experts argue that the causes go beyond technical or environmental challenges — pointing instead to weak accountability among officials.
Former Deputy Chairman of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan, Saifullo Safarov, believes that environmental, demographic, and migration trends significantly influence the government's ability to deliver. For example, the school shortage stems from rapid population growth and a lack of coordination in family planning, while job shortages are worsened by the return of labor migrants from Russia.
He noted that each directive from the president is assigned to a specific agency and monitored by a special commission under the Executive Office. According to Safarov, failure to implement such directives should result in consequences.
“It would be appropriate for the public to also monitor the implementation of presidential orders. After all, the Constitution says that ultimate power belongs to the people,” he concluded.
