Kabul — Iran's Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi has expressed satisfaction with energy trade with Afghanistan, saying the Afghan side pays its electricity bills reliably and that Iran is not owed even a single rial for electricity sold to Afghanistan.
A statement attributed to Aliabadi in an October 10, 2026 report by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB said accounts for energy purchased by Afghanistan are regularly settled. Afghan media also reported the same position after the minister's visit. The statement concerns electricity purchases from Iran, not Afghanistan's total national debt or all of its financial obligations to other countries.
The Iranian energy minister arrived in Kabul on October 7. During his two-day visit, he met Afghanistan's Finance Minister Mullah Mohammad Nasir Akhund, Industry and Commerce Minister Nooruddin Azizi and other energy officials. Discussions focused on electricity supplies, water management, industrial cooperation, customs and improvements to trade facilities.
According to Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce and regional news outlets, representatives also discussed the potential supply of around 2,000 megawatts of electricity from Iran to Afghanistan, power-generation equipment, water purification technology and possible joint investment. No final financial agreement, delivery schedule or completed new power projects have yet been announced for that proposal.
Aliabadi said Iran values its cultural and neighbourly ties with Afghanistan and is interested in sharing expertise in electricity, water and industrial technology. Afghan officials likewise expressed interest in facilitating cross-border trade and expanding energy infrastructure.
The minister's positive assessment of bill payments is a notable development in bilateral energy trade. However, prompt payment to one electricity supplier does not in itself establish that Afghanistan's overall economy is debt-free. That conclusion would require reliable figures on the national budget, public debt, other foreign payments, imports, exports and financial reserves.
The developments indicate that Kabul and Tehran are seeking closer energy and trade cooperation. Future economic gains will depend on expanded electricity transmission, viable investment and completion of joint projects.