Announcement

Advancing Afghan Mobile Banking

Balances can be transferred between accounts at the touch of a button, easing salary payment and other transactions.

Kabul, Afghanistan | Saturday, August 15, 2009

Photo: AED/Fiona Shukri

Participants demonstrate a mobile banking funds transfer as Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadeer Fitrat observes.

Technological advances, such as mobile phone banking, empower Afghans and pave the way to a more stable and secure life. On August 11, Afghan banking and finance leaders came together with representatives from the Central Bank, including Governor Abdul Qadeer Fitrat, to celebrating the advent of mobile banking in Afghanistan. Through technical assistance facilitated by the United States Government, mobile banking will change the way Afghans conduct private and public business. Mobile banking puts new banking technology at the fingertips of wage earners from Hirat to Badakhshan and all places in between. Balances can be transferred between accounts at the touch of a button, easing salary payment and other transactions, especially in rural areas where it is cost-prohibitive to build brick and mortar branches.

Deputy U.S. Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone offered remarks at the opening of the conference, after which participants discussed draft regulations on mobile commerce. “Mobile banking represents the best of what the partnership between the Government of the United States and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is all about,” Ambassador Ricciardone said. “In introducing a new technology that will help all Afghans earn, save and transfer money, the Afghan government is showing it is serious about improving the lives of all Afghans and advancing peace, justice and prosperity.”

USAID/Afghanistan Bi-weekly Highlights: 8/1/2009-8/15/2009 8/15/2009

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