The issue of electricity production and distribution remains one of the most fundamental challenges in Afghanistan, which has not only hindered the country’s industrial growth over the past decades but has also severely affected the daily lives of its citizens. The recent announcement by the Ministry of Water and Energy of a $10 billion agreement with the Azizi Group — hailed as a major step toward economic development — may sound promising, but it should not be placed in the same category as the many previous lofty and repetitive promises that ultimately amounted to nothing more than words.
Acting Minister Abdul Latif Mansoor described this agreement as a major achievement for Afghanistan and emphasized the country’s rich energy resources. However, the real question remains: Why, despite these abundant resources, are millions of Afghans still deprived of electricity? Why is the country’s industrial sector suffering due to energy shortages? And why are Afghans still scrambling for alternative means of energy during both the harsh winter cold and scorching summer heat?
In recent years, there have been repeated promises to expand hydro, solar, wind, and gas-based energy production. Meanwhile, several agreements have also been signed to import electricity from Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. Yet many parts of major cities like Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, and Mazar still suffer from persistent power outages. This inconsistency raises doubt about whether these kinds of projects are genuinely intended for implementation, or merely announced for short-term public relations gains.
The recent announcement by a private company led by Mirwais Azizi, claiming that by 2032, nearly 10,000 megawatts of electricity will be generated across various provinces from coal, gas, water, wind, and solar sources, is undeniably ambitious. But the Afghan people have heard such grand promises before. From their perspective, belief in such initiatives is only possible when tangible work begins and transparent progress is shown. People are not impressed by how grand or appealing promises sound; what matters to them is how quickly and transparently those promises are fulfilled.
Another critical issue that must be addressed is the enhancement of professional capacities and the creation of job opportunities for Afghan workers. Azizi Group’s claim that 98% of the project’s workforce will be Afghan must translate into reality. It will only hold weight if Afghans are truly trained and entrusted with key responsibilities, rather than being confined to manual labor while technical roles remain in the hands of foreign experts.
The Ministry of Water and Energy, the leadership of the Afghan caretaker government, and the implementing company all bear the responsibility to ensure accountability before the public and to prevent these commitments from remaining mere declarations. This massive power expansion project must be pursued with transparency, national interest, and broad participation, so that the country can truly benefit from this vital economic opportunity.
Afghanistan’s geography, its wealth of natural resources, and its climate — ideal for energy development — are all strategic assets. If managed wisely, they can not only solve the electricity crisis but also transform the nation’s economic future. But if everything once again remains confined to promises, the public’s trust will suffer further damage, and international investors will receive the message that Afghanistan still hasn’t transitioned from hollow pledges to concrete action.
Now is the time to demand accountability for past commitments before making new ones. Until the people see clear signs of implementation, empty promises are no longer tolerable. The future of Afghanistan’s economy, its people’s livelihoods, and the country’s industrial progress are all tied to electricity. Therefore, these promises must now shine on the ground — not just echo in meetings and press releases.
