World Bank allots $16 million for Afghanistan's Women-led Businesses

In order to aid women-led small businesses in Afghanistan, a total of USD 16 million has been allotted by World Bank. The bank has announced that the distribution of the funding shall be done by United States’ Aga Khan Foundation directly to Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF).

The bank is looking forward to increase the country’s financial resources for small and medium-sized enterprises. This implies towards increased support of international organisations for women working in the private sector, specifically in trade and investment.

Afghanistan’s country director of the World Bank, Melinda Good while remarking about the funds said, “Supporting small financial providers in Afghanistan is one of the few actionable options currently available to enhance access to financial resources in Afghanistan, especially for women. This project aims to strengthen the small financial sector in Afghanistan so that owners of small businesses and women-led enterprises can access the necessary financial credit to rebuild their businesses, rebuild their lives, and contribute to the revival of the private sector.”

As mentioned by the bank, this funding initiative shall be centred in 15 Afghanistan provinces that includes Kabul, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Herat, Dykundi, Faryab, and Jawzjan. This project will help the businesswomen to grow their business in the country and build international connections as well.