Despite three years of improved security following the end of the Taliban insurgency, Afghanistan’s economy remains stagnant and its population is in a worsening humanitarian crisis.
A third of Afghanistan’s estimated 40 million people live on bread and tea, according to the United Nations, there is high unemployment, and the World Bank warns of zero growth in the next three years.
But there have been some positive changes since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021 – although their government remains unrecognized by other countries.
The currency has become resilient, corruption has been eradicated, and tax collection has improved.
Authorities have also built “economic, commercial, transit and investment” ties in the region, according to Ahmad Zahid, deputy minister of trade and industry.
Afghanistan has great mineral and agricultural potential, which the Taliban government is trying to exploit, but is hampered by poor infrastructure and a lack of domestic and foreign expertise and capital.
Although Afghans welcome better security in their lives, many are just trying to make ends meet.
AFP speaking to four people from different countries ahead of this week’s anniversary of Kabul’s fall:
An optimistic businessman
For 54-year-old Azizullah Rehmati, business is booming – his turmeric company in the western province of Herat is set to double production this year.
Until 2021, the “Red Gold Saffron Company” hired armed guards to escort the valuable spice from the factory to the airport, but the improved security climate has eliminated the obvious need for protection.
“Now there is no problem,” said Mr. Rehmati, who exports to 27 countries.
At the processing facility, women sort the red stigmas of the precious saffron spice with tongs.
The Taliban government’s restrictions on women have reduced participation in the workforce, but Rehmati’s company is among the 50% of Afghan employers that still hire women.
Still, the main challenge for Mr Rehmati – and Afghanistan as a whole – is the crippled banking sector.
“It is very important that the banking channels are reopened,” said Sulaiman Bin Shah, deputy trade minister in the previous government.
The sector is blocked by international sanctions and central bank asset freezes.
Rehmati’s bank can’t send money abroad – or accept transfers – meaning she has to use a more expensive private money changer in Dubai.
Obtaining a visa for foreign travel is also a major problem.
Many foreign countries have closed their embassies due to Taliban takeovers and Afghan passports are ranked worst in the world by the Henley Index, which tracks the ease of global travel.
“We will withdraw from the world market,” said Mr. Rehmati.
An unemployed musician
Wahid Nekzai Logari plays in the national orchestra of Afghanistan and performs concerts on the sarinda, a traditional string instrument, as well as the harmonium.
“I support the whole family. We have a good life,” said the 46-year-old in his modest home on the outskirts of Kabul.
But the Taliban government has banned public music performances, as it is considered un-Islamic, and thousands involved in the industry are impoverished.
“Now I am unemployed,” Mr. Logari said.
To support his family of seven, he sometimes drives a taxi – earning just 5,000 afghanis a month ($70), a fifth of what he used to get concerts.
“Nobody said, ‘you can’t play music anymore, but we’ll find a way to support your family’,” he said.
Rebels who are bureaucrats
Abdul Wali Shaheen wanted to be a “martyr” in the ranks of the Taliban, but after the victory he replaced the rocket launcher with a computer in the Department of Information and Culture in Ghazni province.
“I’m not as stressed as I am now,” the 31-year-old said.
“All I do is jihad, now it’s more difficult. I have more responsibility towards the people.”
However, Mr. Shaheen’s monthly salary of 10,000 afghanis is enough to support his family of five, and he is happy with the direction the country is heading.
“I give the Emirates 10/10 for these three years,” he said.
“Everything is good and we have hope for the future.”
The hidden beautician
The order to close the beauty salon last year was “heartbreaking”, but Sayeda – not her real name – reopened in secret four months ago elsewhere in Kabul.
“We found this place to rent, on the condition that the customers come discreetly and that some employees sleep here so that the neighbors think that a family lives here,” said the 21-year-old manager.
“Before, we had 30 to 40 customers a day, now it’s six or seven,” says Sayeda, who still keeps 25 employees so that “everyone has an income”.
Sayeda’s salary has dropped from 25,000 afghani a month to between 8,000 and 12,000.
“We work undercover and we don’t know how long it will last,” he said, noting the risk of being shut down by the police.
When he “discovered some (underground) salons, he broke the equipment, abused the staff” and imposed fines, he said.
