When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, most international businesses and expatriates had already departed. However, defying the trend of fleeing foreigners, a group of Chinese entrepreneurs saw it as a chance for unprecedented opportunities.
Amidst the chaos, economic turmoil, and UN human rights warnings, more Chinese nationals have entered Afghanistan, capitalizing on what they see as a lucrative situation. Once a minor presence, they have now become the largest group of expatriates in the country.
101 East explores how these Chinese investors, with exclusive access to top-tier Chinese funding, are increasingly shaping Afghanistan’s business and media landscapes.