In an unexpected turn of events, Afghanistan's currency, the Afghani, has emerged as the world's third-best performing currency, with a 9% increase in value during the September quarter. This surge is attributed to humanitarian aid inflows and increased trade with neighboring Asian countries.
The Taliban, in control, has taken measures to assert control over the currency, including banning the use of US dollars and Pakistani rupees in local transactions and imposing restrictions on dollar outflows, even criminalizing online currency trading. However, Afghanistan still grapples with poverty and human rights issues, and international sanctions have isolated it from the global financial system. The United Nations is providing support, but Afghanistan needs more assistance than it has received.