Kabul — The United Nations Development Programme and UN Women have launched a joint financing initiative for Afghan women entrepreneurs.
The initiative starts with a $1.7 million investment and aims to support about 1,500 women entrepreneurs over the next year.
Support will include Sharia-compliant, collateral-free financing, financial and digital literacy training, mentoring, business planning and help accessing markets.
The UN agencies say stronger businesses and household incomes could indirectly benefit more than 14,000 people.
They are also seeking to mobilize an additional $10 million to expand the programme. That additional amount is a fundraising target, not money already secured.