At the Davos gathering hosted by Euronews under the format “Breakfast with Azerbaijan’s Leadership,” President Ilham Aliyev outlined a clear message to global investors: Azerbaijan is entering a new phase of economic strategy where stability, long-term returns, and sustainability define the country’s investment priorities. While energy has historically been the backbone of national growth, the government is now increasingly focused on diversification, renewables, digital infrastructure, and strategic mining as the next engines of competitiveness.

For decades, Azerbaijan’s major investment story was built around oil and gas. Revenues from these resources supported large-scale infrastructure modernization, improved living standards, and strengthened the country’s ability to position itself as a reliable partner in global energy markets. According to President Ilham Aliyev, most of the landmark energy projects have already been completed, which naturally shifts the focus toward sectors beyond hydrocarbons. The central priority today is economic diversification—expanding the share of non-oil activities and building resilience against commodity fluctuations.

A practical pillar of diversification is the rapid expansion of renewable energy. Azerbaijan has already commissioned two major renewable power plants and plans to substantially increase solar and wind generation capacity over the next six years. The President announced a major target: reaching 8 gigawatts of solar and wind capacity by 2032. This figure signals more than an internal energy transition. It highlights Azerbaijan’s ambition to become a meaningful producer and exporter of green energy in a region where energy security and cost efficiency matter more than ever.

Scaling renewable capacity requires significant infrastructure investment, especially in transmission lines and grid expansion. As President Ilham Aliyev emphasized, Azerbaijan’s goal is not limited to producing green electricity domestically but to exporting it. That export ambition elevates renewables from a sustainability agenda into a strategic economic opportunity. It also positions Azerbaijan as a potential contributor to Europe’s broader diversification and decarbonization efforts.

Beyond renewables, Azerbaijan is promoting digital infrastructure as a core investment field. Data centers and artificial intelligence were repeatedly presented as priority areas where Azerbaijan is seeking international collaboration. The argument is grounded in competitive advantage: energy in Azerbaijan is relatively affordable, and the country has additional power capacity that remains unused due to limited transmission and export options. President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan currently has 2 gigawatts of electricity that it does not fully utilize. Within six years, this additional capacity is expected to rise to 8 gigawatts—an unusually strong advantage in a region where many countries face energy shortages or depend heavily on imports.

This surplus power capacity matters because data centers are among the most energy-intensive assets in the modern economy. As the world accelerates toward cloud computing, AI deployment, and digital services, data centers are no longer simply technical infrastructure—they are strategic economic anchors. Countries that combine low-cost energy, stability, and connectivity can attract major investments in this segment. Azerbaijan’s leadership appears determined to seize this moment.

A third priority is mining, particularly rare metals. This field is relatively new in Azerbaijan’s strategic focus, largely because many deposits are located in territories that were previously under occupation and were only liberated in recent years. While Soviet-era studies indicated the existence of valuable resources, the President highlighted that those assessments relied on outdated technology. Azerbaijan is now conducting active research using advanced methods to identify the true potential. In a global environment where rare metals are critical for renewables, batteries, and advanced manufacturing, developing this sector could add a new layer to Azerbaijan’s diversification agenda.

What makes the Davos message consistent is the country’s broader positioning around stability and long-term partnership. Investor preferences are evolving: rather than short-term gains, capital increasingly seeks predictable governance, secure markets, and long-term growth potential. Azerbaijan aims to align with that reality by combining macroeconomic stability with strategic sectors that match global demand trends.

The discussion also linked investment priorities to Azerbaijan’s broader connectivity role. Azerbaijan has extensive experience building complex cross-border energy pipelines and transport corridors. This connectivity experience—built through negotiations, legal frameworks, and infrastructure delivery—supports the country’s ambition to act as a regional hub between Europe and Central Asia. In a world affected by sanctions, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical fragmentation, secure transit and reliable logistics corridors become valuable assets. Azerbaijan is working to reinforce that role through infrastructure upgrades, including expanding the capacity of the country’s seaport.

In summary, Azerbaijan’s investment playbook presented at Davos reflects a transition from an energy-centered growth model to a diversified development strategy. Renewables, data centers and AI, and mining are positioned as the next strategic pillars. The guiding themes are clear: sustainability, competitiveness, connectivity, and long-term returns. As global capital becomes more selective, Azerbaijan’s leadership is signaling that the country is not only open for investment, but actively shaping a future-ready ecosystem for international partnership.

Abbas Panahov,

Deputy Chairman of New Azerbaijan Party ( YAP) Nasimi district organization