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Afghan Women Transform Social Media into E-commerce Platforms
- October 20, 2025
- Posted by: HBC Insights
- Categories: Central Asia, Competitive Research, Digital & Technology, Innovation, Market Entry & Growth, Policy & Economic Impact, Research & Insights, South Asia, Women's Empowerment
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New HBC research maps 82 online businesses and interviews 70 Afghan women entrepreneurs who turned Instagram and WhatsApp into full e-commerce channels after 2021, revealing strong growth, specific skill gaps, and clear opportunities for targeted donor interventions.
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Islamic Microfinance in Afghanistan: Market Assessment & Strategic Opportunity
- October 10, 2025
- Posted by: HBC Insights
- Categories: Case Studies, Central Asia, Competitive Research, Financial Services Consulting, Global & Emerging Markets, Policy & Economic Impact, Research & Insights, South Asia
Afghanistan’s microfinance sector contracted 91% between 2021-2023. Only 10% of the population has access to formal financial services. Yet amidst economic collapse—27% GDP contraction, $9 billion frozen central bank assets, and severe deflation—a counterintuitive signal emerged: Islamic microfinance products recorded 100% repayment rates.
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Sustaining Health Services: What Drives Community Trust and Long-Term Utilization in Fragile Contexts
- June 12, 2025
- Posted by: HBC Insights
- Categories: Case Studies, Competitive Research, Disability Inclusion, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Innovation, Research & Insights
Health service programs in fragile contexts often struggle to move beyond donor dependence to genuine community adoption and sustainability. Our evaluation examined how an integrated health service program builds community trust, achieves service utilization, and establishes conditions for long-term sustainability across multiple operational settings.
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Emergency Response That Reaches the Most Vulnerable
- September 20, 2024
- Posted by: HBC Insights
- Categories: Case Studies, Competitive Research, Disability Inclusion, Innovation, International, Research & Insights, South Asia
This evaluation of a €4.5M emergency response program shows what actually works in fragile contexts. Across six provinces, the program achieved a 94% delivery rate and intentionally reached 33% persons with disabilities through protection-focused design. Our mixed-methods assessment reveals the operational choices that drove exceptional results.