Taliban Administration Hosts Afghanistan’s First Telecommunications and IT Exhibition in Kabul
The Taliban administration held the first five-day Telecommunications and Information Technology Exhibition on Monday at the Afghanistan International Exhibitions Center in Kabul. The event was described by the Taliban as a step towards developing digital governance and fostering coordination between government agencies and the private sector.
According to Taliban officials, the exhibition aims to showcase the services and technologies of companies active in the telecommunications sector, strengthen collaboration between government offices and the private sector, and promote the use of digital systems in public services.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Taliban administration, said during the opening ceremony that technological advancement is a priority for countries, and Afghanistan seeks to gradually align itself with regional developments. He claimed that expanding digital tools can contribute to transparency, reducing bureaucracy, and better revenue management.
Baradar also called for accelerating the digitalization of documents and services within government departments, stating that Afghanistan’s geographic location positions it to become a data transit route between South and Central Asia. He asserted that in recent years telecommunications coverage has expanded in several areas and that official document systems have been implemented in administration offices.
Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Administrative Prime Minister of the Taliban administration, emphasized the connection of offices through digital systems, noting that systematization efforts are ongoing under the leadership of the Taliban. He said the goal of this program is to reduce paperwork and facilitate easier access to government services for the public.
Hanafi added that around 400 telecommunications sites are operational in the country through the Taliban administration and private companies, promising increased support and facilities for the private sector.
Meanwhile, Nooruddin Azizi, Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce in the Taliban administration, announced that his ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Communications, is working to simplify the export process electronically and said that this program will be implemented soon.
The telecommunications and IT exhibition will continue for five days. The event comes amid ongoing challenges in many provinces regarding stable and widespread access to quality telecommunications and digital services.
