Taliban Introduces Digital Payments for Transport Service Fees Across Afghanistan

DID Press: Taliban’s Ministry of Transport and Aviation has launched a nationwide electronic payment system for transport service fees, aiming to reduce cash transactions and improve oversight of revenue collection. More than 40,000 drivers have so far opened bank accounts under the programme.

The ministry said payments for transport services across Afghanistan would gradually shift from cash-based transactions to a digital payment system.

According to the ministry, the new system allows transport-related fees and other charges to be electronically recorded and tracked. The initiative is intended to improve financial transparency, reduce administrative difficulties and strengthen oversight of freight and passenger transport companies.

Azimullah Kamran, head of revenue control and regulation at the Taliban’s Ministry of Transport, said bank accounts had so far been opened for more than 40,000 drivers, with the process continuing in other provinces.

Kamran added that the programme had been developed in cooperation with private banks and companies operating in the electronic payment sector. Once fully implemented, drivers will be able to pay transport fees and service charges through the banking network without using cash.

The ministry also says the system will enable the centralized registration of transport companies’ activities across provinces and districts and facilitate greater coordination with regional transport mechanisms.

The programme is being introduced as transport sector operators in Afghanistan have repeatedly complained in recent years about rising costs, non-transparent payments and administrative corruption.

Previously, some drivers in Kabul, Herat and other provinces accused ministry officials of collecting illegal payments and discriminating in the allocation of truck departure schedules. Passenger bus drivers in northern Afghanistan have also complained about several-fold increases in transport fees.