From Ideas to Markets: West Zone Entrepreneurship Seminar Highlights Economic Opportunities for Women
The Entrepreneurship Center of the Afghanistan Economic and Legal Studies Organization (AELSO), in collaboration with the Afghanistan Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Herat (AWCCI-Herat), organized the online Entrepreneurship Seminar 2026 | West Zone to strengthen entrepreneurial skills and introduce young women to practical ways of starting and developing businesses.
The seminar was held on Wednesday, October 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM via Google Meet, bringing together female participants from Herat, Farah, Nimroz, Ghor, and Badghis provinces.
The program focused on four key areas: women’s entrepreneurship and economic independence, marketing methods, market research and turning ideas into business opportunities, and SWOT and PESTLE analysis. The presentations explored the importance of understanding customer needs, assessing competitors, identifying market opportunities, and making effective use of available resources to start or grow a business.
An open discussion session also gave participants the opportunity to share their views and key takeaways and exchange ideas on applying entrepreneurial concepts to real economic activities.
Nadia Rahimi, one of the seminar participants, reflected on her learning experience:
“Having an idea is not enough to start a business; it is also important to understand market needs and customer preferences. This seminar helped me better appreciate the importance of market research before starting a business.”
Forozan Herawi, another participant, highlighted the value of practical entrepreneurial skills:
“Learning about marketing methods and business analysis was valuable to me. These skills can help us identify existing opportunities more effectively and plan how to turn our ideas into income-generating activities.”
The seminar provided an opportunity to connect entrepreneurial knowledge with real market needs. The next step is to put these lessons into practice by evaluating business ideas, understanding customers, and testing practical ways to generate income. Expanding such learning opportunities and strengthening connections among women interested in business can support the development of small enterprises, build practical experience, and open new pathways for women’s economic participation across Afghanistan.