Four young men in Kabul have launched a digital platform called “Hamra,” with an initial investment of one million Afghanis. Designed to make it easier for citizens to access everyday services, the app brings together 12 different services on a single platform, including online taxi services, food delivery, shopping, doctor appointments, hotel bookings, and online payments. In addition to saving citizens’ time and money, the initiative aims to support small businesses and create job opportunities.
Mohammad Ali Yousufi, a 30-year-old resident of Ghor Province and one of the app’s co-founders, says the idea for “Hamra” app was developed in late 2025 after the team assessed society’s needs and identified the challenges citizens face in accessing everyday services.
“Based on our assessment and a better understanding of people’s everyday needs, we realized that developing an app accessible to everyone and offering most of the services people need in their daily lives would make it easier for citizens to access those services. It would also help them save time and money,” he says.
According to him, the app was developed by four young men, and the team has since grown to 10 members. Since its official launch in early 2026, more than 10,000 people have registered on the platform.
“Since the app was officially launched in early 2026, around 10,000 people have registered. In addition, many volunteers are involved in environmental protection activities through the ‘Hamra Green’ section and cooperate with its activities,” he adds.
Noor Ahmad Muradi, a 34-year-old resident of Kabul and another co-founder of the Hamra app, says one of its key features is its online payment system. This feature allows Afghans living both inside and outside the country to order food and essential products for their family members and relatives in Afghanistan and pay for their orders online.
He says the app offers 12 different services, some of which are already available, while others are still under development.
“The ‘Hamra’ urban services app currently offers 12 types of services for its users. These include online taxi services, motorcycle rides, food delivery, online shopping for daily needs and products from stores, healthcare services and doctor appointments, hotel bookings, online ticket purchases, real estate services, city and intercity taxi services, and online university registration. In addition, the app includes two social service sections designed to make it easier for citizens to access social services and facilities,” he adds.
According to him, downloading and registering on the app are free of charge. Interested users can download it from Google Play or the App Store.
“All citizens can use this app. Anyone with a smartphone and internet access can download and register on ‘Hamra’ for free through Google Play or the App Store. Users can register with their phone number or email address. Once they complete the registration process and verify their identity, they can access the app’s various services,” he adds.
Meanwhile, a number of Hamra users say the platform has made it easier for them to access urban services and carry out their daily tasks. Fazlullah, a 20-year-old resident of Kabul and a medical student, says he has been using the app for the past three months and has so far used its taxi and food delivery services.
“I have used this app to order food and book taxis. Its taxi service is particularly useful because finding a taxi can sometimes be difficult. However, with this app, I can easily request a taxi whenever I need one. I no longer have to wait by the roadside or walk long distances to find a taxi,” he says.
Ahmad Rahimi, another user of the app, says he first became familiar with Hamra app through Facebook around five to six months ago. He now mainly uses the app’s taxi service, “Daily Needs” section, and digital wallet to make online payments.
“I mainly use three sections of the app: the taxi service, ‘Daily Needs,’ and the digital wallet for online payments. The app has brought many conveniences to my daily life. It is very useful for carrying out everyday tasks and saving time,” he adds.
Meanwhile, technology experts say that developing service apps can be an important step towards expanding the digital economy and facilitating citizens’ access to various services. They believe that internet access, ease of use, and users’ trust are among the key factors determining the success of such platforms.
Mansoor Faizi, a technology expert, says that these apps can not only save citizens time and money but also contribute effectively to the growth of the country’s digital economy.
“Developing such apps can be an important step towards digitizing services in Afghanistan. They allow citizens to access various services through their phones without having to visit service providers in person. Such initiatives can make service delivery easier, faster, and more efficient, while also saving citizens time and money,” he adds.
Qarib Aryan, another technology expert, says that service apps can make it easier for citizens to access different services while creating new opportunities for small businesses.
“If people can find transportation, buy and sell goods, and access the services they need through their phones, they will no longer need to visit different places or contact various individuals and service centers to get things done. The main advantage of such an app is that people can install it on their phones and use it to carry out many of their daily tasks. It can also create good opportunities for shopkeepers and small business owners by allowing them to offer their products and services to a larger number of customers,” he says.
At a time when creating job opportunities and supporting startups are among society’s important needs, initiatives such as the “Hamra” app can help youth put their technological skills to use while providing citizens with new digital services.
Reporter: Zarafshan Sharifi
