Deadline Date: May 12, 2026
The United Nations Development Programme is seeking applications to enhance nationwide awareness and adoption of Shariah-compliant microfinance services in Afghanistan to support inclusive economic growth.
The focus areas include Islamic microfinance education, Shariah-compliant financing products, value chain financing, MSME development, women entrepreneurship, farmer financial inclusion, financial literacy, community awareness campaigns, and promotion of Islamic financial services aligned with Hanafi jurisprudence.
The overall objective of this assignment is to increase awareness and uptake of Shariah-compliant microfinance products across Afghanistan. This initiative is designed to support MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, farmers, and low-income households by improving access to Islamic financial services and strengthening value chain financing systems that contribute to inclusive economic development.
The intervention focuses on educating communities about Islamic microfinance products such as Murabaha, Ijara, Salam, and Qard Hasan, and explaining their benefits in comparison to interest-based lending systems. It also aims to promote trust in Islamic finance by addressing misconceptions through culturally and religiously appropriate messaging.
Further objectives include improving awareness of available financial service providers and application channels, clearly communicating how individuals and businesses can access Islamic microfinance products. The campaign also highlights Shariah-compliant value chain financing and its role in supporting entire supply chains within the economy.
Another key aspect of the initiative is increasing visibility of the Afghanistan Center of Excellence for Islamic Finance. It also seeks to stimulate demand for Islamic financial services by encouraging borrowers to actively seek out Shariah-compliant financing options, thereby strengthening financial inclusion across the country.
The scope of work includes designing and implementing a nationwide awareness campaign using multiple communication channels such as television, radio, social media, community outreach, and other relevant platforms. The selected firm will be responsible for developing an inception report, campaign strategy, and production of campaign materials.
The assignment also includes campaign launch and implementation activities, followed by the preparation of a final report and evaluation. The overall duration of the assignment is six months from the contract start date.
Bidders must comply with eligibility requirements, including ensuring they are not sanctioned or suspended by international organizations. They must have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract with UNDP and deliver services in Afghanistan, either directly or through an authorized representative.
For more information, visit UNDP.
