KABUL — Afghanistan has signed a new agreement for the exploration and extraction of oil from the Kushk–Tirpul basin in the western part of the country, marking another step in the government’s effort to expand domestic energy production.

The agreement was signed between Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and Saudi Arabia’s Delta International Company in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund. The signing took place on September 7, according to Afghanistan’s Government Media and Information Center.

The project is focused on the Kushk–Tirpul oil basin, an area identified by Afghan authorities as having potential for petroleum development.

The government has been seeking greater investment in Afghanistan’s mining and energy sectors as it attempts to increase domestic production and reduce dependence on imported resources.

Officials have increasingly highlighted natural-resource development as an important component of Afghanistan’s economic strategy. Oil, gas, minerals and other resources are viewed as potential sources of government revenue, employment and private investment.

The new agreement also reflects Afghanistan’s efforts to attract foreign companies into major infrastructure and natural-resource projects.

Developing domestic oil resources could help improve the country’s energy security if commercially viable reserves are successfully identified and extracted.

The project is expected to require exploration work before the scale of recoverable resources can be fully established. Further development would depend on geological findings, investment and infrastructure requirements.

Afghanistan’s government has simultaneously been promoting industrial and infrastructure projects across the country. Its latest development programme highlights road construction, water and energy projects, rural development and urban infrastructure.

The oil agreement comes as Kabul seeks to strengthen economic activity and expand domestic production. Government economic officials have also been promoting the rehabilitation of industrial facilities and encouraging greater private-sector participation.

For Afghanistan, successful development of the Kushk–Tirpul basin could provide new opportunities for local employment and supporting industries.

The project could also contribute to the government’s broader objective of increasing economic self-reliance through domestic resources.

However, large-scale energy development requires substantial investment, technical expertise, transportation infrastructure and long-term planning.

The agreement therefore represents an initial step rather than an immediate increase in oil production.

Afghan authorities are expected to continue seeking international investment in mining, energy and infrastructure as they pursue a wider strategy of economic development.