The first Internet cafe in Afghanistan opened in 2002 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul during the Loya Jirga gathering. The cafe launched as a pilot program and was used by journalists and attendees to access the Internet. It contained 11 workstations and was part of a company's strategy to expand data and voice communications in Afghanistan to boost its economic potential, as widespread Internet access had proven an engine for economic growth elsewhere.

1. The First Internet Cafe in AfghanistanThe First Internet Cafe in Afghanistan

2. •During its first year in operation,
Afghan Wireless was part of several
historic moments, including the
inauguration of the first Internet cafe in
Afghanistan. Located in Kabul’s
Intercontinental Hotel, the cafe began
life as a pilot program during 2002’s
Loya Jirga, a gathering during which
tribal and political leaders from all over
Afghanistan selected the transitional
government.

3. •Journalists and Loya Jirga attendees
alike used the cafe during its trial
period, and Afghan Wireless’ chairman
remarked that it was part of a company
strategy aimed at expanding the
availability of data and voice
communications in Afghanistan and
boosting the country’s economic
potential. He noted that in the rest of
the world, widespread access to the
Internet had been an engine for
economic growth and expressed hope
that Internet access in Afghanistan
would serve a similar purpose.

4. •The cafe itself contained 11
workstations with broadband access to
the Internet. The launch was conducted
in conjunction with the rollout of Afghan
Wireless’ services in Afghanistan’s
major cities and provincial capitals.