Opportunities & action steps to empower business growth in Kabul, Afghanistan
Alex Steinberg 方澤昂
Strategy, Management Consulting, Programs & Transformation
Afghanistan’s current situation after recent government change reminds of when the countries came out of COVID: Many events and networking opportunities ceased. It is time to restart those events in Kabul and create an environment that supports businesspeople & entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, collaborate, start/ expand their businesses, engage with potential investors, receive inspiration and practical guidance!
There are several profitable business opportunities in Kabul to fill existing business needs
A.???? Create and manage event portal
B.???? Organize business & networking events
C.???? Produce and host business podcast
D.???? Formalize clubs for key topics & activities
E.????? Establish a central networking & collaboration facility
-?????? other
A)??? Create and manage Kabul event portal
Business need & opportunities: Learn about ongoing events that help businesspeople & entrepreneurs to network, collaborate, find investors, learn/ improve/ grow their companies.
Kabul is a big city. Events happen every day organized by business, government, trade bodies, product vendors, service providers, private influential individuals. Those events may be public, semi-public, by friend invitation, by membership only, etc. Many events would offer great value to companies, businesspeople and aspiring entrepreneurs. The problem: It is hard to find what events happen daily. Most people may just learn about an event from friends or by coincidence. Kabul businesspeople need a systematic event calendar/ portal that helps them to know about events and attend those that best meet their specific business needs!
Money-making Opportunity for the creator of the Kabul event portal:
-?????? Build a strong network with the business community, trade bodies, and government agencies.
-?????? Sell banner advertisement on Website
-?????? Direct people to ecommerce sites to buy products and earn commission
-?????? Promote & sell products & services
?B)???? Organize business & networking events
Business need & opportunities: There is a notable lack of events that stimulate business and personal growth.
Opportunity to organize profitable events:
-?????? Networking (identify new business ideas, collaborate with others on projects, identify/ engage with investors.
-?????? Technology & Innovation
-?????? Motivation & personal development (Success principles for business & life, Mental health, Stress & anxiety management, leadership, team building & management)
-?????? Highly profitable business opportunities
-?????? Sector specific: Food & Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Education, Energy & Power, Water & Waste, Telecom & Communication, Mining & Petroleum,
-?????? Key products & solutions
-?????? Individual company presentations
-?????? Large city initiatives: Residencial housing for four million people, Industrial Park development, Infrastructure projects.
-?????? Afghanistan joint initiatives (Cheaper sourcing, “made in Afghanistan”, Eradicate malnutrition, Commun
Money-making Opportunity for the event organizers
-?????? Advertisement for event announcement
-?????? Advertisement at event
-?????? Attendance fees
-?????? Sponsorship of companies, government/ non-government organizations
-?????? Fee-based investor & entrepreneur matchmaking for fee
-?????? Product sales at event
-?????? Catering profits
-?????? Monetize people’s contacts over time.
-?????? Other...
C)???? Produce and host business podcast
Business need & opportunities: Create podcasts that inspire and guide businesspeople and aspiring entrepreneurs to start businesses and build profitable companies
Podcasts:
1???????? How to start and grow a profitable business
2???????? Build a multi-million-dollar company
3???????? Build Afghanistan
4???????? Develop Kabul
5???????? Successful Afghan Businesswomen
Money-making Opportunity for podcast creators & hosts
-?????? Advertisements on hosted Websites
-?????? Paid promotions for specific companies
-?????? Sponsorships (private, NGO, government)
-?????? Build network with influential people and monetize contacts over time.
-?????? Other
D)??? Formalize clubs for key topics & activities.
Business need & opportunities: Regular meetings to stimulate business & personal growth with the structure of an organized program/ club. Develop local ideas and franchise/ customize locally global organization programs
1)???? Business & leadership networking club
2)???? TED talk – Focus on Afghanistan relevant topics
3)???? Toastmasters – English presentations on Business topics
4)???? Debate teams in English – Focus on business and Afghan relevant topics
Money-making Opportunity for podcast creators & hosts
-?????? Membership fees
-?????? One time participation fees
-?????? Sponsorship
-?????? Advertisement
-?????? Grants
E)???? Establish networking & collaboration facility.
Business need & opportunities: Kabul needs a central facility where businesspeople can regularly meet for networking and work collaboration.
-?????? Central location in Shahre-Now, Kabul
-?????? Comfortable coffee & tea place where people can meet, sit and talk
-?????? Shared office space for entrepreneurs to work
-?????? Breakout, conference, and meeting room(s)
-?????? (Similar to a WeWork facility)
Money-making Opportunity for networking & collaboration facility
-?????? Sales revenue from coffee & tea shop
-?????? Membership fee
-?????? Rent/ subscription for shared office space and conference facilities
-?????? Grants and Sponsorship
-?????? Other
Conclusion
This article offered and explained five initiatives to empower business networking & collaboration in Kabul. Each initiative will help build the private sector in Kabul. A savvy entrepreneur can use any of the five initiatives to build a profitable business.
You may reach out to Alex Steinberg through WhatsApp at +966531824178?
(Please understand that many people ask for a meeting with Alex. Preference is given to those who are most dedicated and prepared to build their businesses and provide value to the Afghan people).
About the author
Alex Steinberg has developed, built, and led companies across the world. He has advised, directed, and supported strategies, programs, and implementations of 30+ famous multi-national organizations. Alex has worked across all key business functions, processes, and value chains of organizations across key industries.
Alex Steinberg’s insights into 230+ working for many leading organizations in the world gives him rich experience to analyze, troubleshoot, develop, build, and scale companies. Alex is currently in Kabul with the intent to help build the private sector in Afghanistan to benefit millions of Afghans.
Legal Disclaimer
This article reflects the opinion of Alex Steinberg only. It does not claim to represent the viewpoints of any present/ former client, employer, or partner. The author acknowledges that there are often different viewpoints on a topic, which are equally valid. Constructive discussion rather than criticism can lead to better ideas and positive outcome & value to business and society.
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Chancellor of Cheragh Medical Institute of Higher and Hospital
1 周nice bro
Entrepreneur | Founder & CEO of Khaybar Electric | Power Bank & Electronics Innovator | Business Growth Specialist
1 周Thank you, Sir Alex, for sharing these inspiring thoughts on rebuilding business opportunities in Kabul. I developed a digital platform aimed at networking, discovering new business ideas, collaborating on projects, and connecting with investors. Our revenue model was based on selling banners and property listings, and we even developed a mobile app for easier access. However, we encountered a significant challenge—many business owners in our community are unfamiliar with digital information, limiting the platform's impact despite years of effort. Similarly, I created two additional platforms to support artisans, especially women producing traditional clothing and jewelry, giving them a space to showcase their work. Yet, there is a need for greater familiarity with digital models, and sharing products on a common platform has presented challenges. Your idea of hosting networking events and establishing a dedicated portal for Kabul's business events could help bridge this gap and foster digital adaptation among local businesses. I appreciate your leadership and commitment to entrepreneurship in Afghanistan and look forward to any opportunity to discuss and collaborate further.