This article examines the evolving geoeconomic significance of the South Caucasus and Central Asia, with a particular focus on Azerbaijan’s emergence as a pivotal actor in the region. It begins by tracing the historical trajectory of the West’s interest in these regions, highlighting its recently renewed strategic focus there, which is driven by evolving global dynamics and competition among connectivity routes. Azerbaijan’s leadership in advancing the Middle Corridor is explored in detail, emphasizing its transformation from a conceptual framework to a significant logistical network supported by partnerships with Kazakhstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan. Subsequent sections analyse Azerbaijan’s infrastructure investments, including the Port of Alat and the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars (BTK) railway, alongside its cooperation with international financial institutions (IFIs) and the EU to address challenges like transit inefficiencies and bottlenecks. The discussion then turns to Azerbaijan’s expanding role within multilateral organizations, such as the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the UN’s Special Program for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA), illustrating how these platforms amplify its regional influence. Finally, the article evaluates how Azerbaijan’s foreign policy, balancing with multiple partners, allows it to consolidate its middle-power status, and also reflects on the country’s broader impact on East–West trade and connectivity in the evolving global order.