Afghanistan’s handwoven carpet industry is demonstrating renewed potential as one of the country’s largest sources of employment, with industry representatives calling for greater investment, expanded production facilities, and stronger export support to unlock further economic growth.
Carpet weavers and manufacturers across the country believe the centuries-old craft has the capacity to create thousands of additional jobs while strengthening Afghanistan’s position in the international handmade carpet market.
Handwoven Carpets Remain a National Symbol
For many Afghan artisans, carpet weaving is more than a profession—it is part of the country’s cultural identity.
Jan Mohammad, a carpet weaver with more than ten years of experience, says Afghanistan’s reputation has long been associated with its handmade carpets.
Working alongside six members of his family to produce a 12-square-meter carpet, he explained that although the work is labor-intensive, it provides a stable source of income for his household.“I am happy with my work in the carpet sector and would feel more joy if our carpets were exported under the name of Afghanistan,” he said.According to Mohammad, handmade carpets are primarily produced for export markets because domestic demand remains limited due to their relatively high value.
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Carpet Weaving Supports More Than One Million Livelihoods
Although official statistics are unavailable, industry estimates suggest that more than one million Afghans—most of them women—earn their livelihoods from carpet weaving, making it the country’s second-largest employment sector after agriculture.
Experienced carpet weaver Sardar Agha believes the revival of the industry has already generated significant employment opportunities.
Despite the physically demanding nature of the work, he says weaving remains rewarding and provides sustainable income for many families. However, he emphasized that additional investment, skills training, and workforce development programs would further strengthen the industry.Producing a handmade carpet often requires two to three months of work by several skilled artisans, reflecting the craftsmanship behind every finished product.
Export Growth Seen as Key to Industry Expansion
Industry leaders agree that expanding exports will be essential to the sector’s future growth.
Zafar Khan Daudzai, owner of a carpet manufacturing company, said his business currently employs approximately 15,000 people and produces between 800 and 1,000 square meters of handmade carpets every month.
He believes improved export opportunities would stimulate production, attract additional investment, and create thousands of new jobs throughout the country.“We hope the government will establish more production facilities and facilitate carpet exports abroad,” Daudzai said, expressing confidence that Afghanistan’s handwoven carpet industry will continue its upward trajectory.
Value Addition Across the Supply Chain
Employment opportunities extend beyond weaving itself.Carpet washing, finishing, quality inspection, packaging, and logistics also provide income for thousands of workers involved throughout the production chain.
According to carpet washer Jan Mohammad from Faryab Province, washing a 10-square-meter carpet takes approximately two to three hours, highlighting the labor-intensive nature of value-added processing before carpets reach international buyers.
Outlook for Afghanistan’s Handmade Carpet Sector
As global demand for authentic handmade products continues to grow, Afghanistan’s carpet industry has an opportunity to strengthen its position in international markets.Industry stakeholders believe that stronger export promotion, investment in modern production facilities, skills development, and international branding could significantly increase employment while preserving one of the country’s most valuable cultural and economic assets.
With its long tradition of craftsmanship and a workforce exceeding one million people, Afghanistan’s handmade carpet sector remains one of the country’s most important industries and a promising driver of future economic development.
