Energy surplus, shifting partners: Azerbaijan’s trade balance masks structural tensions in early 2026

Internet speeds in Azerbaijan have increased steadily over the past year, reflecting the rapid expansion of fibre-optic infrastructure. However, analysts warn that the next stage of growth will depend not so much on network deployment as on the quality of investment, competition, and technological upgrades.

The immediate trigger for the contraction was a 1.2% decline in the oil and gas sector, which continues to dominate Azerbaijan’s economic architecture. This drop came despite a rebound in global oil prices in March, highlighting a critical vulnerability: production dynamics, rather than price fluctuations, are increasingly shaping output.

The Regional Office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for Europe and Central Asia has published technical notes titled “Future Development Pathways for Aquaculture and Fisheries in Azerbaijan” as part of a series of publications on natural resource management, biodiversity, and climate change.

Azerbaijan’s service economy is having a moment. In January-February 2026 the value of paid services sold to households rose by 8.9% in real terms, to 2.53bn manats.