We try to make sense of what the Taliban have been doing to the Afghan economy, piecing together their economic policy. They aspire to a form of self-reliance, which they have pursued through revenue collection. ‌But they are more focused on rewarding members for their jihad than growing the economy.

Issues touched on include what the Taliban understand by self-reliance. On Taliban fiscal policy, who they have managed the transition to high dependence on budget support to funding the budget from domestic revenue. On monetary policy, how Afghanistan has avoided the devaluation and inflations which accompanied previous political crises. The limitations of the Taliban’s business-friendly approach. And on economic outcomes what this means for the Afghan population and resource distribution. 

Podcast produced by Colm Heatley.