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Afganistan’da Dijital Bankacılığın Gelişimi: Finansal Kapsayıcılık, Altyapı Zorlukları ve Gelecek Perspektifleri

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 34 - 64, 02.09.2025

Abstract

Bu çalışma, dijital bankacılığın Afganistan’ın finansal sistemi içerisindeki mevcut rolünü ve geleceğe yönelik potansiyelini çok boyutlu bir çerçevede ele almaktadır. Afganistan’ın uzun yıllardır süregelen ekonomik istikrarsızlığı, güvenlik sorunları, sınırlı bankacılık altyapısı ve düşük finansal kapsayıcılık oranı, dijital finansal hizmetlerin önemini daha da artırmıştır. Özellikle 2015–2024 yılları arasında dijital bankacılık göstergelerinde kaydedilen artışlar – mobil ödeme sistemlerinin yaygınlaşması, ATM ve POS cihazlarının sayısındaki yükselme ve banka kartı kullanım oranlarının artması ülkedeki dijital dönüşümün ivme kazandığını göstermektedir. Bu gelişmelere rağmen, dijital okuryazarlık seviyesinin düşüklüğü, teknik altyapı eksiklikleri, yasal düzenlemelerdeki boşluklar ve siber güvenlik riskleri dijital bankacılığın yaygınlaşmasının önünde önemli engeller oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada, güncel istatistiksel veriler ve eğilimler ışığında dijital bankacılık uygulamalarının etkinliği analiz edilmekte, karşılaşılan zorluklara çözüm önerileri sunulmakta ve bu alanda yapılması gereken yapısal reformlar tartışılmaktadır. Sonuç olarak, dijital bankacılığın doğru politikalar, yatırım ve eğitim programları ile desteklenmesi halinde, Afganistan’da finansal kapsayıcılığın artırılmasında ve ekonomik kalkınmanın hızlandırılmasında dönüştürücü bir rol üstlenebileceği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.

References

  • Akhavan, P., & Mohammadzadeh, M. (2012). E-banking service quality and customer satisfaction. Management Science Letters, 2(1), 37–44.
  • Arner, D. W., Barberis, J., & Buckley, R. P. (2016). The evolution of Fintech: A new post-crisis paradigm? Georgetown Journal of International Law, 47(4), 1271–1319.
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB). (2020). Afghanistan: Financial sector assessment. https://www.adb.org
  • Bossone, B. (2000). What makes banks special? A study of banking, finance, and economic development. World Bank Working Paper No. 2408. https://documents.worldbank.org
  • Castro, D. (2014). The impact of digital banking on customer satisfaction. Digital Economy Journal, 2(3), 20–29.
  • Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB). (2021). Mobile Money Annual Report 2021. https://dab.gov.af
  • Demirgüç-Kunt, A., Klapper, L., Singer, D., Ansar, S., & Hess, J. (2018). The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring financial inclusion and the fintech revolution. World Bank.
  • European Banking Authority. (2020). Report on the impact of FinTech on payment institutions' and e-money institutions' business models. https://www.eba.europa.eu
  • European Central Bank. (2023). Digital finance in the EU. https://www.ecb.europa.eu
  • Frey, C. B., & Osborne, M. A. (2017). The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 114, 254–280.
  • Gomber, P., Kauffman, R. J., Parker, C., & Weber, B. W. (2018). On the Fintech revolution: Interpreting the forces of innovation, disruption, and transformation in financial services. Journal of Management Information Systems, 35(1), 220–265.
  • Goyal, A. (2011). Financial literacy for inclusive growth. Economic and Political Weekly, 46(41), 89–96.
  • GSMA. (2021). State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2021. https://www.gsma.com
  • GSMA. (2022). Afghanistan Mobile Economy Report 2022. https://www.gsma.com
  • Haksever, C., & Baykal, E. (2023). Bankacılıkta dijitalleşmenin hizmet pazarlamasına etkileri. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası, 73(1), 115–132.
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF). (2021). Afghanistan: Financial sector stability assessment. https://www.imf.org
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF). (2022). Country Report: Afghanistan and COVID-19 impacts. https://www.imf.org
  • Jung, A., & Mietzner, D. (2019). Fintechs as service intermediaries in the digital economy. Technology Innovation Management Review, 9(8), 45–56.
  • Kahveci, H., & Wolfs, J. (2018). The impact of digital banking on bank performance in Turkey. Journal of Financial Studies, 15(2), 55–74.
  • Kithinji, M. (2017). Digital transformation in post-crisis banking: Opportunities and threats. African Journal of Business Management, 11(7), 144–157.
  • Kocha, C., & Stoiber, B. (2020). Digital transformation and efficiency in German retail banks. European Banking Review, 34(2), 112–129.
  • Koçaşlı, M. (2014). Bankacılıkta teknolojik gelişmelerin şube verimliliğine etkisi. Finansal Araştırmalar ve Çalışmalar Dergisi, 6(11), 85–98.
  • Kwarteng, A. (2015). Customer awareness and usage of electronic banking in Ghana. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 3(7), 1–13.
  • Lawrence, C. (2010). Barriers to financial inclusion. The Journal of Development Studies, 46(4), 556–573.
  • McKinsey & Company. (2014). Asia Personal Financial Services Survey. https://www.mckinsey.com
  • McKinsey & Company. (2020). The future of digital banking: Personalization and security. https://www.mckinsey.com
  • Mothobi, O., & Grzybowski, L. (2017). Infrastructure deficiencies and adoption of mobile money in Sub-Saharan Africa. Information Economics and Policy, 40, 71–79.
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers. (2011). The new digital tipping point. https://www.pwc.com
  • Sardana, M. M. K. (2018). Digital banking and financial inclusion. ISID Discussion Note DN1801. https://isid.org.in
  • Suri, T., & Jack, W. (2016). The long-run poverty and gender impacts of mobile money. Science, 354(6317), 1288–1292.
  • UNDP. (2021). Afghanistan Digital Readiness Assessment. https://www.undp.org
  • Usmani, M. T. (2020). An Introduction to Islamic Finance. International Institute of Islamic Economics.
  • Varga, D. (2021). The shrinking branch network: Digital banking and centralization. Banking and Finance Review, 10(3), 210–223.
  • Vives, X. (2017). Digital disruption in banking. CEPR Press.
  • World Bank. (2023). Afghanistan Financial Access Survey. https://www.worldbank.org
  • Yazgan, M. E., Ak, Y., & Üçler, B. (2022). Dijital dönüşümün çalışan algısı üzerindeki etkisi. İşletme ve İktisat Çalışmaları Dergisi, 10(1), 55–68.
  • Yıldız, Ö. (2017). Bankacılıkta dijitalleşmenin şube gelirleri üzerindeki etkileri. Bankacılık ve Finans Dergisi, 12(3), 77–92.
  • Zetzsche, D. A., Buckley, R. P., Arner, D. W., & Barberis, J. N. (2020). Regulating LIBRA: The transformative potential of digital financial services. Harvard International Law Journal, 61(2), 221–270.
  • Zins, A., & Weill, L. (2016). The determinants of financial inclusion in Africa. Review of Development Finance, 6(1), 46–57.

Development of Digital Banking in Afghanistan: Financial Inclusion, Infrastructure Challenges and Future Perspectives

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 34 - 64, 02.09.2025

Abstract

This study comprehensively examines the current role and future potential of digital banking within Afghanistan’s financial system. Afghanistan’s long-standing economic instability, security challenges, limited banking infrastructure, and low financial inclusion rates have amplified the importance of digital financial services. Notably, between 2015 and 2024, significant growth has been observed in digital banking indicators — including the widespread adoption of mobile payment systems, the increase in the number of ATMs and POS devices, and a rise in bank card usage — all of which reflect the momentum of digital transformation in the country. Despite these advancements, several structural barriers persist, such as low levels of digital literacy, inadequate technological infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and cybersecurity concerns. This study evaluates the effectiveness of digital banking practices using recent statistical data and trends, discusses the structural reforms required, and proposes solutions to overcome existing challenges. The findings suggest that if supported by appropriate policies, investments, and educational initiatives, digital banking can play a transformative role in enhancing financial inclusion and accelerating economic development in Afghanistan.

References

  • Akhavan, P., & Mohammadzadeh, M. (2012). E-banking service quality and customer satisfaction. Management Science Letters, 2(1), 37–44.
  • Arner, D. W., Barberis, J., & Buckley, R. P. (2016). The evolution of Fintech: A new post-crisis paradigm? Georgetown Journal of International Law, 47(4), 1271–1319.
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB). (2020). Afghanistan: Financial sector assessment. https://www.adb.org
  • Bossone, B. (2000). What makes banks special? A study of banking, finance, and economic development. World Bank Working Paper No. 2408. https://documents.worldbank.org
  • Castro, D. (2014). The impact of digital banking on customer satisfaction. Digital Economy Journal, 2(3), 20–29.
  • Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB). (2021). Mobile Money Annual Report 2021. https://dab.gov.af
  • Demirgüç-Kunt, A., Klapper, L., Singer, D., Ansar, S., & Hess, J. (2018). The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring financial inclusion and the fintech revolution. World Bank.
  • European Banking Authority. (2020). Report on the impact of FinTech on payment institutions' and e-money institutions' business models. https://www.eba.europa.eu
  • European Central Bank. (2023). Digital finance in the EU. https://www.ecb.europa.eu
  • Frey, C. B., & Osborne, M. A. (2017). The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 114, 254–280.
  • Gomber, P., Kauffman, R. J., Parker, C., & Weber, B. W. (2018). On the Fintech revolution: Interpreting the forces of innovation, disruption, and transformation in financial services. Journal of Management Information Systems, 35(1), 220–265.
  • Goyal, A. (2011). Financial literacy for inclusive growth. Economic and Political Weekly, 46(41), 89–96.
  • GSMA. (2021). State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2021. https://www.gsma.com
  • GSMA. (2022). Afghanistan Mobile Economy Report 2022. https://www.gsma.com
  • Haksever, C., & Baykal, E. (2023). Bankacılıkta dijitalleşmenin hizmet pazarlamasına etkileri. İstanbul Üniversitesi İktisat Fakültesi Mecmuası, 73(1), 115–132.
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF). (2021). Afghanistan: Financial sector stability assessment. https://www.imf.org
  • International Monetary Fund (IMF). (2022). Country Report: Afghanistan and COVID-19 impacts. https://www.imf.org
  • Jung, A., & Mietzner, D. (2019). Fintechs as service intermediaries in the digital economy. Technology Innovation Management Review, 9(8), 45–56.
  • Kahveci, H., & Wolfs, J. (2018). The impact of digital banking on bank performance in Turkey. Journal of Financial Studies, 15(2), 55–74.
  • Kithinji, M. (2017). Digital transformation in post-crisis banking: Opportunities and threats. African Journal of Business Management, 11(7), 144–157.
  • Kocha, C., & Stoiber, B. (2020). Digital transformation and efficiency in German retail banks. European Banking Review, 34(2), 112–129.
  • Koçaşlı, M. (2014). Bankacılıkta teknolojik gelişmelerin şube verimliliğine etkisi. Finansal Araştırmalar ve Çalışmalar Dergisi, 6(11), 85–98.
  • Kwarteng, A. (2015). Customer awareness and usage of electronic banking in Ghana. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 3(7), 1–13.
  • Lawrence, C. (2010). Barriers to financial inclusion. The Journal of Development Studies, 46(4), 556–573.
  • McKinsey & Company. (2014). Asia Personal Financial Services Survey. https://www.mckinsey.com
  • McKinsey & Company. (2020). The future of digital banking: Personalization and security. https://www.mckinsey.com
  • Mothobi, O., & Grzybowski, L. (2017). Infrastructure deficiencies and adoption of mobile money in Sub-Saharan Africa. Information Economics and Policy, 40, 71–79.
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers. (2011). The new digital tipping point. https://www.pwc.com
  • Sardana, M. M. K. (2018). Digital banking and financial inclusion. ISID Discussion Note DN1801. https://isid.org.in
  • Suri, T., & Jack, W. (2016). The long-run poverty and gender impacts of mobile money. Science, 354(6317), 1288–1292.
  • UNDP. (2021). Afghanistan Digital Readiness Assessment. https://www.undp.org
  • Usmani, M. T. (2020). An Introduction to Islamic Finance. International Institute of Islamic Economics.
  • Varga, D. (2021). The shrinking branch network: Digital banking and centralization. Banking and Finance Review, 10(3), 210–223.
  • Vives, X. (2017). Digital disruption in banking. CEPR Press.
  • World Bank. (2023). Afghanistan Financial Access Survey. https://www.worldbank.org
  • Yazgan, M. E., Ak, Y., & Üçler, B. (2022). Dijital dönüşümün çalışan algısı üzerindeki etkisi. İşletme ve İktisat Çalışmaları Dergisi, 10(1), 55–68.
  • Yıldız, Ö. (2017). Bankacılıkta dijitalleşmenin şube gelirleri üzerindeki etkileri. Bankacılık ve Finans Dergisi, 12(3), 77–92.
  • Zetzsche, D. A., Buckley, R. P., Arner, D. W., & Barberis, J. N. (2020). Regulating LIBRA: The transformative potential of digital financial services. Harvard International Law Journal, 61(2), 221–270.
  • Zins, A., & Weill, L. (2016). The determinants of financial inclusion in Africa. Review of Development Finance, 6(1), 46–57.
There are 39 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Theory of Treasury, Finance Studies (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Hasan Durmuş 0000-0002-0089-5217

Behishta Sajaya This is me 0009-0002-2566-9571

Publication Date September 2, 2025
Submission Date July 20, 2025
Acceptance Date August 12, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 11 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Durmuş, H., & Sajaya, B. (2025). Afganistan’da Dijital Bankacılığın Gelişimi: Finansal Kapsayıcılık, Altyapı Zorlukları ve Gelecek Perspektifleri. Maliye Araştırmaları Dergisi, 11(1), 34-64.

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