Many small enterprises in Afghanistan operate in areas where conventional banking services are limited. In these circumstances, a good business idea or useful skills are not enough: capital and secure payment systems also matter.
UNDP's Access to Finance programme describes approximately $6.1 million in support during 2026 for small-business financial systems, guarantee facilities, digital inclusion and Islamic financing approaches.
The programme also identifies businesses run by women, returnees and other economically vulnerable groups as a particular focus. Mobile financial services and suitable business loans could help some firms purchase materials, fulfil orders and formalise their operations.
However, digital transactions also require reliable identification of customers, safeguards against fraud, complaint mechanisms and transparency. Likewise, the availability of a loan does not automatically guarantee that a business will succeed.
For Afghanistan, the impact of financial inclusion would be better judged by the number of active accounts, genuine business investment and sustained income.