Evaluating the Impact of Entrepreneurial Training and Skill Gaps on Women-Led Business Outcomes in Post-Taliban Afghanistan

Abstract

In post-Taliban Afghanistan, where women face severe restrictions on employment and mobility, entrepreneurship has become a vital pathway for economic survival and empowerment. This study examines how entrepreneurial training influences the development of business skills and performance among Afghan women entrepreneurs, and explores the contextual barriers that shape their access to and application of these skills. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 79 women across Kabul, Herat, and Balkh provinces through a structured questionnaire and open-ended responses. Entrepreneurial competencies were measured using a Semantic Differential Scale (SDS), and business outcomes were self-reported based on performance over the past six months. Quantitative analysis revealed a statistically significant association between entrepreneurial training and business growth. However, the effect of training on perceived entrepreneurial skill levels was not statistically significant overall, there was an effect but it appeared to be influenced by participants’ educational backgrounds. Women with lower education levels faced greater barriers to accessing and benefiting from training. Qualitative insights underscored challenges such as market instability, digital illiteracy, and the absence of mentorship. Informal learning and peer-based support emerged as critical yet underutilized resources. The study concludes that entrepreneurial training is associated with improved business outcomes, particularly growth, though its impact on skill development remains inconclusive. These findings suggest the need for contextually relevant, practically delivered training and more inclusive support models to meet the diverse needs of Afghan women entrepreneurs operating under restrictive conditions.