Kamela’s Journey: From Returnee to Entrepreneur

How UNDP’s business support is turning small workshops into women-led hubs of opportunity, generating employment, uplifting households, and fostering inclusive private sector growth.

February 9, 2026

In 2022, a 19-year-old woman returned to Herat, Afghanistan, from Iran with little savings and limited prospects. Today, she is a successful entrepreneur whose shoemaking enterprise employs 25 people and continues to grow. This is Kamela’s journey.

After coming back with few possessions, Kamela relied on the shoemaking skills she had gained while working for four years in a factory in Iran. Determined to build a livelihood, she set up a small workshop and began producing shoes, gradually expanding her business.

A major milestone came in early 2025 when, with support from UNDP, Kamela formed a savings group with 15 other women, including fellow returnees from Iran. In Afghanistan, where formal banking systems remain underdeveloped, access to capital is a significant challenge. Savings groups provide a practical solution: members contribute small amounts regularly, and when one member needs funds to start or grow a business, the group lends from its collective savings. The money is later returned without interest.

Alongside training on how to manage the savings group, UNDP also provided guidance on Sharia-compliant finance, which is essential in a context where conventional financial products are not permitted under Islamic law, as well as seed capital of $800 to strengthen the initiative.

With the savings collected over six months and the seed capital, the group of women decided to expand their shoemaking enterprise. They invested in two double-stand cobbler sewing machines, which allowed them to produce and repair shoes, as well as other handicraft items with stronger stitching and higher quality.

One challenge Kamela faced was the lack of a laser engraving machine to brand her products.

“In the past, as I didn’t have a laser machine, other people would buy my products and sell them under their own brand,” Kamela explains.

Protecting her brand was essential, but she also struggled with the high cost of raw materials, which threatened her profits. Recognizing the growth potential of her business, UNDP awarded Kamela a $10,000 matching grant. With this support, she purchased essential equipment, including the multifunction laser machine she needed, two additional sewing machines, and high-quality raw materials.

These improvements enabled Kamela to standardize her products, increase production capacity, enhance quality, and reduce costs, making her shoes and handicrafts more competitive in the market.

As a result, her workforce grew from 16 to 25 employees, including 21 women and 4 men, creating valuable job opportunities in her community. Her monthly income also rose significantly, from AFN 15,000 to around AFN 28,000, with peaks during religious holidays and festivals.

In December 2025, Kamela participated in a UNDP-organized exposure visit and exhibition at the Aritom Free Zone in Termiz, Uzbekistan, where she connected with other SMEs and explored new market opportunities. Reflecting on the experience, she says:

"Participation in the exposure visit was an incredible opportunity. I met many entrepreneurs, established new business contacts, secured contracts, and became familiar with other SMEs that I didn’t even know existed in Herat. Now, I am in touch with many of them, and we have discovered numerous opportunities for collaboration and synergy across our businesses."

Through UNDP’s support, Kamela has expanded her business, increased production, and created meaningful employment in her community. By improving product quality and establishing her own brand, she has strengthened the local handicraft sector and opened new market opportunities for Afghan entrepreneurs.

Today, her business not only provides high-quality products at competitive prices but also serves as an inspiring example for other women and young entrepreneurs in Herat. Looking ahead, Kamela plans to further expand production, introduce new designs, and reach additional markets across Afghanistan and beyond. She also hopes to mentor other women entrepreneurs, sharing her experience and encouraging more women to engage in the private sector.

Kamela’s success is part of a broader impact. Under the EU-funded WE-LEAD project, which supported her journey, another 2,500 savings groups have been established across western, northern, and northeastern Afghanistan. In addition, 4,300 micro, small, and medium enterprises have received support, including 114 matching grants, through subsidized loans and grants. Together, these initiatives are contributing to economic resilience and advancing women’s economic agency across the country.