UNDP: Women-Owned Businesses in Afghanistan Reach New Milestone

DID Press: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says the number of women holding official business licenses in Afghanistan has increased nearly tenfold since before 2021, surpassing 10,000.

According to a new UNDP report, more than 10,000 Afghan women now hold official licenses to operate businesses, marking a nearly tenfold increase compared with the period before 2021.

The report also cites estimates from the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), indicating that around 120,000 additional women are engaged in economic activities without formal business licenses.

Combined, licensed and unlicensed women entrepreneurs account for more than 130,000 women participating in business activities across Afghanistan.

The figures highlight the continued expansion of women’s economic participation and growing interest in entrepreneurship, despite the fact that a large share of these businesses continue to operate informally.

UNDP has repeatedly stressed the need for greater financial, technical and capacity-building support for women-led businesses to strengthen their resilience and expand economic opportunities.

Source: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI).