Central Bank Pushes to Expand Non-Cash Payments in Afghanistan

The central bank says that nine companies are currently operating in the non-cash payment sector in the country.

Citing growing demand for non-cash payment services, the bank says efforts are underway to build capacity and expand these services across various sectors of the country.

Hasibullah Noori, spokesperson for the central bank, said: “The goal is to reduce the use of cash in the country and expand the non-cash market. We also want our citizens to benefit from banking facilities that meet international standards. We ask our citizens to help expand these services.”

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Banks Association has also emphasized the expansion of non-cash payment services across the country.

According to the association, expanding non-cash payments could facilitate transactions, reduce the use of cash, and increase transparency in financial transactions.

Najibullah Amiri, head of the Afghanistan Banks Association, said: “In recent years, banks have worked extensively in this area to develop and expand the tools and applications needed for these services.”

Some non-cash payment service companies, while noting the relative expansion of these services in the country, say the lack of access to stable, high-speed internet in some areas remains one of the biggest obstacles to expanding such services across Afghanistan.

Sanzar Kakar, head of HesabPay, said: “High-speed internet is not available in some parts of the country. The more internet services expand in an area, the more non-cash payment services will expand as well.”

Although the use of digital services for everyday transactions and commercial activities is increasing in some of Afghanistan’s major cities, limited internet access, low awareness among some citizens about digital financial services, and the need to develop the necessary infrastructure are cited as challenges that could slow the expansion of these services across the country.