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Journals / Maliye Araştırmaları Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 11 Sayı: 1

Development of Digital Banking in Afghanistan: Financial Inclusion, Infrastructure Challenges and Future Perspectives

Afganistan’da Dijital Bankacılığın Gelişimi: Finansal Kapsayıcılık, Altyapı Zorlukları ve Gelecek Perspektifleri

Hasan Durmuş(BOLU ABANT İZZET BAYSAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-0089-5217
Behishta Sajaya(BOLU ABANT İZZET BAYSAL ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0009-0002-2566-9571
Pages
34–64
Publication Date
2025-09-02
DOI
—
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings suggest that if supported by appropriate policies, investments, and educational initiatives, digital banking can play a transformative role in enhancing financial inclusion and accelerating economic development in Afghanistan.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study comprehensively examines the current role and future potential of digital banking within Afghanistan’s financial system.
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Key Findings & Data:Afghanistan’s long-standing economic instability, security challenges, limited banking infrastructure, and low financial inclusion rates have amplified the importance of digital financial services.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings suggest that if supported by appropriate policies, investments, and educational initiatives, digital banking can play a transformative role in enhancing financial inclusion and accelerating economic development in Afghanistan.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2015 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Dijital Bankacılık · Afganistan · FinTek

Abstract

This study comprehensively examines the current role and future potential of digital banking within Afghanistan’s financial system. Afghanistan’s long-standing economic instability, security challenges, limited banking infrastructure, and low financial inclusion rates have amplified the importance of digital financial services. Notably, between 2015 and 2024, significant growth has been observed in digital banking indicators — including the widespread adoption of mobile payment systems, the increase in the number of ATMs and POS devices, and a rise in bank card usage — all of which reflect the momentum of digital transformation in the country. Despite these advancements, several structural barriers persist, such as low levels of digital literacy, inadequate technological infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and cybersecurity concerns. This study evaluates the effectiveness of digital banking practices using recent statistical data and trends, discusses the structural reforms required, and proposes solutions to overcome existing challenges. The findings suggest that if supported by appropriate policies, investments, and educational initiatives, digital banking can play a transformative role in enhancing financial inclusion and accelerating economic development in Afghanistan.

Özet

Bu çalışma, dijital bankacılığın Afganistan’ın finansal sistemi içerisindeki mevcut rolünü ve geleceğe yönelik potansiyelini çok boyutlu bir çerçevede ele almaktadır. Afganistan’ın uzun yıllardır süregelen ekonomik istikrarsızlığı, güvenlik sorunları, sınırlı bankacılık altyapısı ve düşük finansal kapsayıcılık oranı, dijital finansal hizmetlerin önemini daha da artırmıştır. Özellikle 2015–2024 yılları arasında dijital bankacılık göstergelerinde kaydedilen artışlar – mobil ödeme sistemlerinin yaygınlaşması, ATM ve POS cihazlarının sayısındaki yükselme ve banka kartı kullanım oranlarının artması ülkedeki dijital dönüşümün ivme kazandığını göstermektedir. Bu gelişmelere rağmen, dijital okuryazarlık seviyesinin düşüklüğü, teknik altyapı eksiklikleri, yasal düzenlemelerdeki boşluklar ve siber güvenlik riskleri dijital bankacılığın yaygınlaşmasının önünde önemli engeller oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada, güncel istatistiksel veriler ve eğilimler ışığında dijital bankacılık uygulamalarının etkinliği analiz edilmekte, karşılaşılan zorluklara çözüm önerileri sunulmakta ve bu alanda yapılması gereken yapısal reformlar tartışılmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, dijital bankacılığın doğru politikalar, yatırım ve eğitim programları ile desteklenmesi halinde, Afganistan’da finansal kapsayıcılığın artırılmasında ve ekonomik kalkınmanın hızlandırılmasında dönüştürücü bir rol üstlenebileceği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

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Cite This Article

Durmuş, H., Sajaya, B. (2025). Development of Digital Banking in Afghanistan: Financial Inclusion, Infrastructure Challenges and Future Perspectives. Maliye Araştırmaları Dergisi, Cilt: 11 Sayı: 1, 34–64. https://ajindex.com/articles/1137818

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