The Majid Zabuli Center for Economic Research and Policy Analysis was established in 2021 to honor the legacy of Abdul Majid Zabuli, one of Afghanistan's most visionary economic thinkers. As the founder of Afghanistan's first national bank, Bank Milli Afghan, and a pioneer of the country's industrial development, Zabuli dedicated his life to promoting economic independence, institutional strength, and sustainable growth. His work laid the foundation for Afghanistan's modern economic infrastructure, from banking and trade to industrialization and public administration, shaping a vision of prosperity grounded in innovation and local initiative.

The creation of the Zabuli Center stems from a concern that economic considerations have long been overshadowed by political narratives. Decisions at national and regional levels are often made without a comprehensive understanding of their economic implications, and there is a noticeable gap in economic literacy among both the public and emerging policymakers. Many young professionals and analysts focus predominantly on political debates, showing limited awareness of, or interest in, the economic forces that shape livelihoods, development, and long-term prosperity. Moreover, Afghanistan has historically seen limited contribution to the field of economic research, with scarce contribution by platforms dedicated to rigorous, locally relevant analysis. Zabuli Center was founded to address this critical gap — bringing the economic dimensions of national and regional challenges into focus, promoting analytical rigor, and ensuring that evidence-based economic thinking informs policy, strategy, and public discourse.

We recognize that sustainable solutions cannot simply be imported or copied from other contexts. Economic models that succeed elsewhere may fail if applied without adaptation. Afghanistan's complex challenges demand endogenous, context-sensitive approaches. The golden decade of economic development (1932–1942) in Afghanistan provides powerful lessons: when economic policies are thoughtfully designed, locally grounded, and supported by capable institutions, they can deliver transformative results. Inspired by this period and the vision of Abdul Majid Zabuli, the Center seeks to extend his mission — bridging historical insight with contemporary analysis to address today's pressing economic and developmental issues.

At Zabuli Center, we conduct high-standard, independent research, provide actionable policy recommendations, and create platforms for dialogue among governments, civil society, academia, and international partners. We invest in building the capacity of emerging economists and analysts, cultivating a new generation that values rigorous analysis, critical thinking, and evidence-driven decision-making. Our work demonstrates that sustainable and inclusive development is possible when economic knowledge guides policy and when institutions and communities are empowered to act on that knowledge.

Through all of this, the Zabuli Center carries forward Abdul Majid Zabuli's enduring legacy: a commitment to economic independence, innovation, and human capital development. More than preserving history, we aim to make it relevant for today, ensuring that the economic side of the story is understood, valued, and acted upon. By bringing insight, evidence, and analytical rigor to the heart of development discussions, we aspire to shape a future where Afghanistan and the wider region can achieve prosperity that is both sustainable and inclusive.

The mission of the Zabuli Center is to generate rigorous economic research and analysis that informs policy and decision-making, promotes economic literacy, and contributes to sustainable and inclusive development in Afghanistan and the wider region. We achieve this by producing high-quality, evidence-based insights; facilitating dialogue across sectors; building the capacity of emerging economists and practitioners; and fostering collaboration among governments, civil society, academia and international partners.