
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in governing the country's financial system. It is responsible for maintaining price stability and ensuring the stability of the national currency, the Azerbaijani manat.
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan is an independent institution, separate from the government. This independence allows it to make decisions without political interference.
To achieve its goals, the Central Bank of Azerbaijan has a range of functions, including setting monetary policy and regulating financial institutions.
History of the Central Bank
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has a rich history that spans over a century. Established in 1920, it was initially known as the State Bank of Azerbaijan.
Its early years were marked by significant milestones, including the introduction of the Azerbaijani manat in 1992, replacing the Soviet ruble.
Establishment
The establishment of the Central Bank was a significant milestone in the country's economic history. It was formed in 1920 to manage the country's monetary policy and regulate the banking system.
The Central Bank's establishment was a response to the country's financial crisis in the early 20th century, which led to a sharp decline in the value of the currency and a rise in inflation. This led to a loss of public trust in the existing banking system.
The Central Bank's primary objective was to stabilize the currency and maintain price stability. It achieved this by setting interest rates, regulating the money supply, and supervising commercial banks.
The Central Bank's establishment also marked a shift in the country's economic policy, from a laissez-faire approach to a more interventionist one.
Key Milestones
The history of the Central Bank is a long and fascinating one, with many key milestones that have shaped its development over the years.
The first central bank, the Sveriges Riksbank, was established in Sweden in 1668 and is still in operation today.
The Sveriges Riksbank was created to manage the country's currency and provide loans to the government, and it has since become one of the oldest and most respected central banks in the world.
The first gold standard was introduced in England in 1717, requiring the Bank of England to back its notes with gold reserves.
The gold standard had a significant impact on the development of central banking, as it forced central banks to maintain a strong balance sheet and manage their currency carefully.
The Bank of England was established in 1694 to raise funds for the government and to manage the country's debt.
The National Bank of Belgium was established in 1850 as the first central bank in Belgium, and it was tasked with managing the country's currency and providing loans to the government.
The gold standard was eventually abandoned in the early 20th century, as countries began to adopt fiat currency and central banks gained more independence.
Organization and Leadership
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has a clear organizational structure. The bank is headed by the Governor, who serves as the Chairperson of the Board of directors.
The Governor is appointed by the President of Azerbaijan and the National Assembly of Azerbaijan. Elman Rustamov has held this position since January 1995, a remarkable tenure of over 27 years.
The bank's leadership is completed by 4 members appointed by the President and the National Assembly.
Governors

The Governors of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan have a significant role in the organization's leadership.
Cavanşir Abdullayev was the first Governor, taking office in 1992 and leaving in 1993.
Qalib Ağayev followed, serving as Governor from 1993 to 1994.
Elman Rustamov has been the longest-serving Governor, holding the position from January 1995 to April 2022.
Taleh Kazimov took over as Governor in April 2022 and is still in office.
Here is a list of the Governors in chronological order:
- Cavanşir Abdullayev (1992-1993)
- Qalib Ağayev (1993-1994)
- Elman Rustamov (1995-2022)
- Taleh Kazimov (2022-present)
Executive Board
The Executive Board plays a crucial role in the organization's leadership, and it's led by the Governor, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Board of directors.
The Governor is currently Elman Rustamov, who was appointed to this position.
The Board consists of 4 members, all of whom were appointed by the President of Azerbaijan and the National Assembly of Azerbaijan.
Goals and Functions
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has a clear set of goals and functions that guide its operations. The main goal of the Central Bank is to maintain price stability within its authorities set by the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan” dated 10 December 2004.
To achieve this goal, the Central Bank conducts the monetary and foreign exchange policy. This involves organizing cash circulation and setting an official exchange rate of the Manat, the national currency. The official exchange rate is regularly determined and announced by the Central Bank.
The Central Bank also regulates and controls foreign currency, and it licenses and regulates the bank and insurance sector. This involves supervising activities in the bank and insurance sector within the provisions of the existing Law. The Central Bank also regulates the securities market and manages gold and foreign exchange reserves.
Here are the specific functions of the Central Bank:
- Conducts the monetary and foreign exchange policy
- Organizes cash circulation
- Sets an official exchange rate of Manat
- Regulates and controls foreign currency
- Regulates and licenses bank and insurance sector
- Regulates securities market
- Manages gold and foreign exchange reserves
- Develops the balance of payments
- Develops the country’s consolidated (both public and non-public) foreign debt statistics and international investment balance
- Organizes and regulates payment systems
Monetary Policy
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan plays a crucial role in shaping the country's monetary policy. It uses various tools to control inflation and maintain economic stability.
The bank's main objective is to keep inflation within a single-digit target range, which is currently set at 5%. This goal is critical to maintaining the purchasing power of the population and promoting economic growth.
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has a flexible inflation targeting framework, which allows it to adjust its monetary policy in response to changing economic conditions. This framework enables the bank to balance its inflation control goals with other economic objectives.
The bank uses interest rates as its primary monetary policy tool to influence inflation and economic activity. It sets the refinancing rate, which serves as a benchmark for other interest rates in the economy.
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has a well-developed system for monitoring and analyzing economic data, which helps it make informed decisions about monetary policy. This system includes tracking key economic indicators such as inflation, GDP growth, and unemployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the interest rate of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan?
The Central Bank of Azerbaijan's interest rate, also known as the policy rate, is currently 7.25% per annum. This rate is updated monthly and has been steady at 7.25% since January 2005.
What is the largest bank in Azerbaijan?
According to recent data, ABB is the largest bank in Azerbaijan, dominating 26% of sector assets and 23% of sector loans. Learn more about ABB's market share and financial performance.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Bank_of_Azerbaijan
- https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Bank_of_Azerbaijan
- https://abc.az/en/news/163850/central-bank-of-azerbaijan-has-made-a-final-decision-on-interest-rate
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Central_Bank_of_Azerbaijan
- https://en.apa.az/finance/central-bank-of-azerbaijan-keeps-key-rate-stable-455866
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