Lamen, a newly established microfinance institution (MFI) and an active member of the Afghanistan Microfinance Association (AMA), has opened a new branch in the Taimani area of Kabul city on July 09, 2025. The institution began offering Islamic financing to clients through Murabaha and Musharakah products.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives from the central bank (Da Afghanistan Bank), the Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan (MISFA), the President of the Advisory Board of the AMA, and the AMA team. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Lamen-MFI on reaching this important milestone.
Lamen has already established branches in Kabul and Nangarhar, with further expansion plans underway to open additional branches in Mazar-e-Sharif (Balkh province) and Kunar province.
During the session, Da Afghanistan Bank, MISFA, and AMA reaffirmed their full support for the growth and development of the microfinance sector in Afghanistan. DAB emphasized that, alongside commercial objectives, MFIs must remain focused on their social missions ensuring equitable access to financial services for low-income communities across the country. It was also said that the program will only work if the participating institutions stay committed and dedicated.
Current Landscape of the Microfinance Sector
As of June 30, 2025, the AMA member institutions include:
The First Microfinance Bank (FMFB-A)
OXUS MFI
Mutahid MFI
Ghazanfar Bank
Hassel MFI
Momin Afghan MFI
Shahy Khazan MFI
Lamen MFI
(Aurum-MFI is set to begin operations soon)
These institutions operate across 16 provinces: Badakhshan, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Faryab, Ghazni, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kunduz, Nangarhar, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e-Pul, and Takhar.
As of the end of Q2 2025, the total Islamic financing portfolio stood at AFN 3.3 billion, serving more than 48,000 active clients (43% of total clients are women) an increase of approximately 5,000 clients compared to the first quarter of the year. These services are provided through a network of 87 branch offices nationwide.
According to the Microfinance Regulation, financing from AFN 5,001 up to AFN 1.5 million are classified microfinance loans. The numbers here only include Islamic financing up to AFN 1.5 million.
