• Nawid is an entrepreneur from Afghanistan who runs several businesses in the food, electronics and clothing industries.
• Nawid took part in the UNITAR "Great Ideas Space 2023 Programme for Afghanistan: Food Security and Job Creation through Entrepreneurship and Innovation", generously funded by the Government and People of Japan.
• The UNITAR programme taught Nawid how to manage and market his business and develop new financial strategies.
• Nawid hopes that the people of Afghanistan can collaborate to overcome challenges and support fellow Afghans people in need.

Years ago, when starting as an entrepreneur, Nawid vowed that he would run his businesses not only for himself, but also for his people. It is a promise that keeps him going, even after the times he lost everything and hit rock bottom. And it is a promise reflected in his current businesses. 

His first business addresses the lack of food in communities by farming fish and providing fresh organic food to his customers. The company has expanded to produce and distribute an Afghan snack and has in the pipeline other non-perishable and portable sources of nutrition.

His second company helps communities secure a continuous energy supply and remain safe by producing and installing green energy solutions such as solar panels and energy-efficient lighting systems. It also provides power banks that last 8 to 10 hours, which provide steady energy to security cameras.

In his third venture, Nawid hopes to help Afghan women producers of traditional clothing secure a source of income.

Nawid developed his third business in the Great Ideas Space 2023 Programme for Afghanistan: Food Security and Job Creation through Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where he learned fundamental business skills and about foreign markets and marketing strategy. The programme ran from August 2023 to March 2024 to provide Afghan entrepreneurs with skills to address food insecurity, unemployment, and social problems through innovative solutions. 

The programme welcomed 374 women and men entrepreneurs in Afghanistan to complete courses on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, and innovation. The top participants were then invited to an in-person workshop, where they collaborated to create ready-to-launch business plans for their projects. Nawid’s project was to set up an online store for handmade traditional Afghan clothing made by Afghan women. He hopes the online store will give women access to foreign markets and secure a source of income to buy food.

"The UNITAR training programme has had a profound impact on me and my businesses. It provided me with innovative strategies and approaches that allowed me to change my business models, improve marketing strategies, and develop new financial strategies. The programme also connected me with a network of like-minded entrepreneurs, which has been invaluable for support and collaboration." – Nawid (Afghanistan), UNITAR alumnus

Nawid says he especially enjoyed the in-person sessions with the trainers, where he had the chance to explore new ideas and receive insightful feedback. He is excited to apply the new ideas and skills to grow his businesses. In particular, he plans to practice his skills in company management and developing marketing and financial strategies. He is confident these will help him successfully launch and run the online store and expand his multiple businesses.

Nawid’s hope is that people will return to Afghanistan, bringing their resources, ideas and energy, so they can work together to support the people of Afghanistan, create opportunities and solve the challenges faced by the country.

He expressed his gratitude to the Government and People of Japan for their support in providing learning opportunities to Afghans entrepreneurs like himself.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Government and People of Japan for their financial support of the UNITAR training programme. Your generosity has provided us with the knowledge and tools needed to make a significant impact in our communities. Thank you for believing in us and supporting our journey towards a brighter future." – Nawid (Afghanistan), UNITAR alumnus

If a place has many issues, he points out, it also means that it offers many opportunities for businesses. Speaking from experience, Nawid stresses that aspiring entrepreneurs go at their own pace. He encourages others to “stay resilient, stay focused, and never give up on your dreams”.