About Data for Afghanistan
At Data for Afghanistan, our mission is to democratize access to data on Afghanistan. Despite the abundance of data generated on the country, much of it remains inaccessible to the public. Everyone, from students to policymakers, should have the opportunity to learn about Afghanistan without any hassle.
To achieve this, we curate credible data sources and identify the most important topics. Utilizing state-of-the-art data visualization methods, we present data in a user-friendly format. We adhere to open-access principles to ensure that valuable information is available to all.
We invite you to collaborate with us or consider yearly sponsorships to support our mission of making data accessible and expanding our platform with new research and datasets.
Founder's Message
Welcome to Data for Afghanistan! This project has been my long-time wish. Working with data most of my life, I believe in the power of accessible, well-presented data in driving informed decision-making. Through Data for Afghanistan, I aim to bridge the gap between the wealth of information available on Afghanistan and those who seek to learn about Afghanistan. This platform should encourage a deeper exploration of Afghanistan's multifaceted challenges and opportunities. I invite you to explore Data for Afghanistan, engage with its visualizations, and join me in my commitment to foster greater awareness and informed discourse about Afghanistan. I believe in the potential of data to drive positive change and shape a brighter future for Afghanistan.
Team
Ahmad Zia Wahdat, Founder
Dr. Wahdat is the founder of Data for Afghanistan, a social enterprise dedicated to advancing evidence-based understanding of Afghanistan through data, research, and technology. Dr. Wahdat is an economist and his research focuses on behavioral economics, food economics, household finance, consumption behavior, and the resilience of households and food systems during natural disasters, economic shocks, and policy changes. Specializing in computational science, Dr. Wahdat applies advanced methods in data science, machine learning, causal inference, and economic analysis to study food security, supply chains, and economic vulnerability, with particular attention to socially and economically disadvantaged populations. He has worked with leading international organizations and institutions, including Purdue University, Princeton University, the World Bank, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, the German International Cooperation (GIZ) in Afghanistan, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Through Data for Afghanistan, he aims to make reliable data and rigorous analysis more accessible for researchers, policymakers, journalists, and the public. Dr. Wahdat was a Fulbright Scholar to the United States. He holds a BA with Honors in Economics from Oberlin College, an MS in Economics from Tufts University, and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University.
Maiwand Nangyal, Director of Research
Maiwand is a DPhil in Economics candidate at the University of Oxford as an ESRC GU DTP Scholar. His research interests revolve around economic history, political economy, applied econometrics and machine learning. He also holds a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the University of Exeter, an MPhil in Economics from the University of Cambridge and an MSc in Economic & Social History from the University of Oxford. Prior to his DPhil, Maiwand was an Economist within the UK Civil Service at the Department for Work & Pensions.
Ahmad Wasim Wardak, Data Scientist
Ahmad Wasim Wardak specializes in data science. He holds a BA in Information Technology. Wasim’s career spans diverse roles, including two years as a Data Analyst and Software Developer at Noon Digital Education, where he played a key role in developing innovative educational technology solutions. He worked with Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (CHA) as a Data Analyst, delivering impactful insights for humanitarian projects. Most recently, Wasim served as an IT Officer at Marie Stopes International Afghanistan, where he managed complex IT systems and contributed to organizational success. Wasim loves technology and data-driven solutions to address real-world challenges.
Tatara Wardag, Research Associate
Tatara is a second-year BSc Economics undergraduate at Queen Mary University of London. Her research interests include International Economics and Developmental Economics, with the plan of working as a professional economist in the Civil Service or international organizations such as IMF/World Bank. Using her studies and research techniques, Tatara analyzes data, estimates statistics, generates visualizations, and produces clear written reports based on her analysis.