OXUS Afghanistan has been Created in 2007 with funding from MISFA, OXUS Afghanistan was able to build on ACTED’s experience and past programmes in the country, in particular a micro-loan initiative to provide farmers with seeds and tools for sowing. OXUS Afghanistan operates 13 branches across the country and is today ranked third microfinance provider in portfolio terms. Since inception and as of march 2015, OXUS Afghanistan has disbursed 107,828 loans worth EUR 70 million.Due to the low penetration of commercial banks in rural areas and the lack of microfinance institutions (MFIs), Afghanistan is an extremely promising market. With a population of just over 30 million and a growing economy, many micro entrepreneurs and small and medium sized enterprises are in need of funding and investment.

At present two thirds of the loans disbursed by OXUS in Afghanistan were disbursed to small credit groups. Individual business loans are also particularly successful because OXUS’ clients working in trade or commerce favour the higher degree of flexibility offered by these products. At present most of OXUS Afghanistan clients are small traders or shopkeepers (88%), while others produce handicrafts (8%) or work in the agricultural sector (4%). In the meantime, over 29% of OXUS’ clients in Afghanistan are women.