Azerbaijan holds strategic potential to become a key regional hub at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and energy innovation, according to Rika Nakazawa, Director of Commercial Innovation at Japan’s Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT).
Speaking on the second day of the StrategEast 2025 Eurasian State and IT Forum in Baku, Nakazawa highlighted Azerbaijan’s unique position to balance its energy resources with the rise of advanced technologies.
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“Despite its relatively small territory, Azerbaijan occupies an exceptionally advantageous geostrategic position on the world map and already stands out as a significant regional player,” she said.
Nakazawa emphasized that Azerbaijan’s strength lies not only in its oil and gas reserves, but also in its expanding renewable and nuclear energy sectors.
“Between 2023 and 2033, we expect about 90% growth in these areas,” she noted.
As global energy consumption driven by AI technologies increases, Nakazawa said Azerbaijan could leverage its energy capacity to attract AI-driven industries and research initiatives.
“Azerbaijan’s biggest advantage lies in its green energy potential and the absence of strict regulatory barriers that often slow progress in developed countries. This creates a unique environment for the next stage of growth. With the right strategy, Azerbaijan can emerge as a key regional center at the crossroads of energy and artificial intelligence,” she added.
