Afghanistan’s domestic oil production is steadily increasing under the Islamic Emirate’s initiatives, marking a significant step toward reducing the country’s heavy dependence on imported fuel.

According to official data, locally produced oil currently accounts for 15.7 percent of Afghanistan’s total oil consumption. However, new extraction programs are expected to boost this share substantially in the coming years.

Shafi Azam, head of economic relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the positive momentum. “With the rollout of new oil extraction programs, domestic output is expected to increase further in the near future,” he stated. Azam projected that the share of locally produced oil in the national market could rise to 29.75 percent.

He expressed optimism about accelerating extraction processes, noting that this upward trend would significantly ease Afghanistan’s reliance on imported oil.Afghanistan currently imports approximately three million tons of oil annually from various countries to meet domestic demand. Officials anticipate that this figure will decline as local production expands.

Experts view the development as a crucial opportunity for the Afghan economy. Strengthening domestic production is expected to improve the country’s overall economic situation, advance energy self-sufficiency, and reduce pressure on foreign currency reserves.

Afghanistan is believed to possess substantial oil and gas reserves. Analysts argue that with continued investment and development, the country has the potential not only to achieve full self-sufficiency in fuel but also to become an exporter of oil products in the future.

The Islamic Emirate’s focus on harnessing domestic natural resources reflects a broader strategy aimed at economic stabilization and reducing external dependencies amid ongoing challenges. (ILKHA)