Alif Bank has announced the opening of a new office at the Kushoniyon market in the capital. According to the bank, the exact launch date was not specified in the announcement, but the location is already operational and provides a basic set of retail services.
What Happened
The new center is aimed at the bazaar’s merchants and shoppers. According to the official announcement, customers can order a Salom installment card, issue a free Korti Milli debit card for local payments, and receive money transfers from Russia.
The office also operates as an infrastructure hub for digital products. Here, users can undergo physical identification to fully utilize the Alif Mobi wallet. Cash transactions are also available, including account top-ups, withdrawals, and currency exchange.
The exact address of the new branch is 28–30 Hofiz Sherozi Avenue. Landmark: Kushoniyon Bazaar, Block 18, 2nd floor, banking sector.
Country and Market
In Tajikistan, bazaars and large shopping complexes remain the main centers of attraction for microbusinesses. According to market observations, a significant portion of transactions in such locations still takes place in cash.
This is not Alif Bank’s first experience operating in retail zones: the bank already uses a compact office format at markets, such as the Sultoni Kabir market in the capital. In total, the bank’s network in Tajikistan consists of three full-fledged branches and about 14 service centers.
Why It Matters
The bank’s presence directly on the market grounds lowers the barrier for entrepreneurs who need to quickly deposit revenue into their accounts, make transfers to suppliers, or exchange currency without traveling to central branches.
It appears that to fully integrate microbusinesses into the digital economy, banks have to build a hybrid infrastructure, capturing cash flows directly at the point of sale.
What’s Next
For now, this is a local network expansion. It will be interesting to see whether the format of compact offices at retail venues becomes a standard for Tajik banks in the battle for the small business segment and merchants’ daily transactions.
