The Taliban-controlled Ministry of Finance announced on Monday, 19 May, that the World Bank office in Kabul has reopened and started repaying its outstanding debts owed to Afghan logistics and construction companies.

According to the ministry’s official statement, the World Bank owes approximately USD 50 million to several Afghan firms. The bank has begun making direct payments today, starting with USD 10.8 million. The remaining balance of USD 39.11 million is scheduled to be paid in three subsequent instalments, coordinated through the Taliban Ministry of Finance.

The ministry described the repayments as a significant financial development, expressing optimism that this step would pave the way for resuming World Bank-funded development projects in Afghanistan.

These developments follow a period of severe financial hardship for many Afghan contractors, stemming from the withdrawal of foreign military forces and international organisations from the country.

Critics, however, have highlighted that while foreign entities, including the World Bank, are beginning to address their outstanding debts, the Taliban government itself has yet to settle debts owed to local companies for projects completed under the previous Afghan administration. Those obligations remain unpaid to date.