The Afghanistan Microfinance Association (AMA) organized the fifth Chief Executive Officer Coordination Meeting for the microfinance sector on August 6, 2025. The meeting brought together CEOs from AMA member institutions as well as the CEO of the Microfinance Investment and Support Facility for Afghanistan (MISFA).
Key discussions focused on updates from Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), sector wide progress, and strategic plans for program expansion. Notably, the microfinance program has recently extended its coverage to the provinces of Paktia, Logar, Panjshir, Laghman and Kunar. Further expansion efforts are now focused on reaching Khost, Helmand and increasing outreach in Kandahar.
Participants highlighted that microfinance remains the only national program actively supporting Afghan entrepreneurs and creating sustainable employment opportunities in different sectors across the country. Over the past three years, MFIs have provided Islamic financing to more than 95,000 clients. Based on the World Bank’s estimate that each financing generates 1.5 jobs, this support has led to the creation of more than 142,000 sustainable jobs across the country.
Looking ahead, this number is expected to grow significantly as more MFIs enter the market, with several currently in the process of obtaining their business licenses from Da Afghanistan Bank (the Central Bank of Afghanistan). Additionally, a number of commercial banks have received approval from DAB to establish microfinance window.
