UKaid in Afghanistan

Our partner, Adrian Green is working on a £100m rural development and livelihoods portfolio with UKaid in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan in the late 1970’s was emulating Iran and other rapidly growing regional countries with near self-sufficiency in food, a growing agro-processing sector,  a healthy urban manufacturing sector and strong exports of high value horticultural crops and craft goods.   Its education and training system was developing rapidly, providing hope for continued growth and prosperity.  But thirty years of conflict and criminality returned the country to being one of the poorest, most insecure, badly educated and ineffectively governed in the world. For example, Afghanistan’s biggest cash crop today contributes at least 20% of GDP, operates through a higly efficient supply chain and exports worldwide.  Sadly, it is the illicit opium industry.

However, behind the distressing headlines of continued conflict and growing civilian and military casualties, the underlying economy is showing signs of recovery.  GDP growth is respectable, agricultural output is increasing, new manufacturing plants are being established and the education sector is recovering, today some 5.2m children attend school, including more than 50% of school age girls compared with almost no girls in 2001.

The investment committed by UKAID and other international donors is a major driver in this recovery and Adrian is now directly involved in designing and delivering the next wave of investment priorities.

For further information please contact Adrian@upperquartile.co.uk