40 years of Afghan history has been marked by upheaval and war and this exposure to violence and uncertainty has shaped the lives of its citizens. While several efforts are made by civil society (including AELSO) to promote peace & counter extremism through traditional means and messaging, we believe, we need to present an alternate narrative, one that is rooted in the rich entrepreneurial spirit of its people.

Entrepreneurs for Prosperity is a multi-media outreach initiative that will shine light on the inspiring stories of 10 young Afghan entrepreneurs who are advancing the economy through innovation and enterprise.

Through a series of powerful and emotive photo essays and radio interviews broadcasted in our Silk Road Radio station, these human interest stories will highlight the importance of entrepreneurship and economic freedom for sustained growth and prosperity in Afghanistan.

Follow our series of introducing these top 10 young Afghan entrepreneurs and get know with these elites who together, Joined Up to Minimize Poverty, in Afghanistan.

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Najia Sroosh – Finding a Voice in Badakhshan | Entrepreneurs for Prosperity in Afghanistan

Story#: 1/10

JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

Najia Sroosh is a brave young Afghan women who runs Radio Sada-e-Banowan in the remote northern province of Badakhshan. She faced to lots of challenges while broadcasting the voice of women in a strictly patriarchal society but never gave up and continued her efforts for advocating for change.

Today, Radio Sada-e-Banowan employs over 20 people and has the unique distinction of being run entirely by women – all working together as peers towards righting the wrongs that they experience in the world around them.

Read this inspiring story of Najia Sroosh by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages.

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Khalilullah Hamdard – Afghanistan’s Identity and Culture| Entrepreneurs for Prosperity in Afghanistan

Story#: 2/10
JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

Khalilullah Hamdard, a 22-year-old young Afghan entrepreneur who has struggled with the ups and downs of life but has been able to start his own business in the handicrafts sector by the name of Wakhjir Handicrafts which today his business has valid place at the national and regional levels.

Hamdard, talented and creative personality started his career as CEO of Wakhjir handicrafts with a small shop but lofty goals to reach his business in international levels. “It was always my dream to have my own business and be my own employer so that I could serve my community in this way.” He doesn’t only pursue his personal goals and aspirations, but also committed to fulfill his responsibility in eradicating poverty and providing work opportunities for 300 employees who work and reached the identity and culture of Afghanistan to all parts of the country and the region.

Read this inspiring story of Khalilullah Hamdard by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Mahdi Mudaris – An Elite Idea| Entrepreneurs for Prosperity in Afghanistan

Story#: 3/10
JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

Mahdi Mudaris is a 28-years-old young Afghan entrepreneur who has been able to go through many difficultes & hardships and launched his hairdressing brand by the name of ” Elite beauty Salon” at the best location of Kabul city.

The journey of starting his business was not easy and he did not reach to destination easily but by experiencing the difficult days of migration, he came to the idea of returning back to his country and sharing his experience & learned lessons in order to play his role in Afghanistan’s development.

Read this inspiring story of Mahdi Mudaris by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Fariba Andishmand – A Symbol of Courage & bravery

Story#: 4/10
JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

Afghan women, most of whom are known for their violence and traditional beatings on this ecological border, are now challenging the violence, petrification and closed society of Afghanistan.
For the last twenty years, it has left openings for all Afghans, especially women, to be able to enjoy their rights and to participate in the government and vital decisions of the country, to represent their people & province and to have the right to education, work and business.
One of these women from last two decades, who was able to have her own business today, is Fariba Andishmand, a 23-year-old young Afghan entrepreneur who launched Rozaneh Sahadat dairy products company in Kabul and Bamyan at agriculture and livestock sector in 2019, which exports fresh dairy products to Bamyan and other provinces, and currently has 8 employees.
Read this inspiring story of Fariba Andishmand by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Abdul Hasib Rahimi – Your Trusted Business Partner

Story#: 5/10
JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

One of the most basic & major challenge in today’s world and Afghanistan is rising the unemployment and poverty rate which caused societies face with many problems. Fortunately, in recent years, many youth entrepreneurs have invested in various sectors to increase their capacity, work in civil markets and provide growth & seeking experience opportunities for themselves and others.

Abdul Hasib Rahimi, a 28-year-old young Afghan entrepreneur who was born in Kabul, established Nima Amin Financial Services Company in 2018, which provides services in 4 main parts: financial services, accounting, tax and audit services. From the beginning of its establishment until now, this company has 12 employees both male & female, who work together with him.

Read this inspiring story of Abdul Hasib Rahimi by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Azizullah Gulzada – Supporter and partner of youth

Story#: 6/10
JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

In recent years, despite the fragile security and not so good economy situation in the country, the cafe culture in Afghanistan has grown significantly, and young entrepreneurs have turned to business and job creation by creating modern cafes. In the absence of entertainment places in Kabul, these modern cafes and restaurants are a favorite and crowded place for many people to spend time with their family and loved ones.
One of those popular cafes in Kabul which everyone knows, is The CupCake, which has founded by Azizullah Gulzada in 2018. This cafe has 15 employees and 2 branches in Kabul city.
Read this inspiring story of Azizullah Gulzada by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Iqbal Aazem – The most standard book publishing center in the country

Story#: 7/10
JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

The printing & publishing industry at Afghanistan has gone through a very long history and proved its place in Afghanistan’s improvement. However, the journey of printing houses were very hard & difficult but today we are witness of many printing & publishing centers at Kabul and provinces which one of those popular centers is Aazem printing & publishing center, nowadays.

The popular printing & publishing center, Aazem, is managing by Iqbal Aazem who is responsible director of this center which has started its activity since 1376 AH and now it has 120 employees. This center also has the membership of national & international book exhibitions such as; Frankfort, America, Tehran, and many Asian countries.

Read this inspiring story of Iqbal Aazem by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Hussian Karimi – Azin, a well-known & popular brand of decoration

Story#: 8/10
JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

In the past 20 years, one of remarkable businesses that created a place for itself in the market, was decoration business. Nowadays, most of people want to have the decoration services to decorate their offices & houses. One these popular decoration brands in Afghanistan is; Azin Decor which has established by Hussian Karimi that provide decoration services for people in all over the country.

Read this inspiring story of Hussian Karimi by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Waliullah Rahmani – Bright future for every youth

Story#: 9/10
JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

Afghan light Fersat educational consultancy is one of valid companies that provides educational, consultant and admission to international scholarships services. This consultancy has established by Waliullah Rahmani in 2018 which has 2 branches in Kabul & Mazar e Sharif provinces along with 16 employees that are dedicating services for people in different positions.

Read this inspiring story of Hussian Karimi by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto
English Persian Pashto

Nilofar Yousefi – A brave & talented young entrepreneur

Story#: 10/10

JUMP – Joining Up to Minimize Poverty

Nilofar Yousefi, a brave & talented young entrepreneur who is 23 years old and completed her primary and higher education in Kabul, Afghanistan, established 51 initiative with basic aim of empowering Afghan women by providing 60 women different educational courses such as; tailoring, handicrafts, literacy, mask production and so many other activities

Read this inspiring story of Nilofar Yousefi by downloading the PDF files in 3 languages:

English Persian Pashto

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