Saudi Investors Interested in Afghanistan’s Energy, Mining Sectors

DID Press: With vast untapped mineral reserves, Afghanistan is emerging as a potential regional investment destination, as several Saudi investors have for the first time expressed interest in entering the country’s oil, gas, and mining sectors.

The Taliban-run Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced that a delegation of Saudi investors recently met with acting minister Hidayatullah Badri to discuss cooperation opportunities in the energy sector, including the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to maintain technical contacts and explore possible participation of Saudi companies in the exploration and extraction of Afghanistan’s natural resources.

Afghanistan is home to more than 1,400 identified mineral deposits, including rich reserves of gold, copper, iron, coal, oil, gas, and precious stones — drawing growing interest from regional powers.

At the meeting, Saudi executive Shahir Al-Taqi, CEO of a Saudi energy company, held talks with Zamary Kamgar, CEO of Afghanistan’s Kam Energy, on a potential framework for cooperation in the oil and gas sector.

Badri welcomed Saudi interest, emphasizing Afghanistan’s “vast mineral potential,” and pledged the Taliban government’s support in facilitating investment procedures and granting mining licenses. “Afghanistan is ready to revive its mining and energy sectors with the technology and experience of regional countries,” he said.

Separately, on October 24, Taliban deputy prime minister for economic affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar also met with the Saudi delegation, underscoring the importance of expanding cooperation in exploration, extraction, and gas pipeline development.

The Saudi side reportedly expressed readiness to provide “technical expertise and engineering capacity” to Afghan partners.

Sources close to the talks also mentioned the presence of former U.S. envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, in some of these meetings, though his exact role remains unclear.

While Saudi Arabia has yet to formally recognize the Taliban government, bilateral engagement has continued in recent years through humanitarian aid and informal diplomatic channels.