Kabul has since 2021 proven an unreliable customer. While regularly paying off part of its dues to Tajikistan, it has struggled to clear its debts outright.
Pro-government media is reporting that Garibashvili will be replaced by Irakli Kobakhidze, who is also known as fiercely loyal to the ruling party's billionaire founder.
In addition to the risk of the Ukraine War spreading to Georgian territory, the planned Russian naval base in Abkhazia could threaten Georgia's status as a global east-west connectivity hub.