Fish Crisis in Azerbaijan: Market Monopolization Limits Consumption

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.

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.

The escalation of military tensions around Iran has driven a sharp rise in global oil prices, potentially bringing significant benefits to Azerbaijan’s energy-dependent economy while at the same time highlighting the country’s continuing reliance on hydrocarbon revenues.