If you’re checking the dollar to afghani today, you’re probably seeing a number somewhere around 65.50 to 66.30.
It’s weird, right? Afghanistan’s economy is, by most global standards, struggling deeply. Yet, the Afghani (AFN) has been one of the strongest performing currencies against the US Dollar (USD) over the last year. Honestly, if you just looked at the charts without knowing the context, you’d think you were looking at a stable, emerging market powerhouse.
But the reality on the ground in Kabul is a whole different story.
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Understanding the Dollar to Afghani Today
The market is currently showing a mid-market rate of approximately 65.9 AFN per 1 USD as of January 18, 2026. If you go to a physical exchange like Sarai Shahzada, you might see slight variations based on whether you are buying or selling.
Currently, the bid price—what they’ll give you for your dollars—is hovering around 64.00, while the ask price is closer to 67.00.
This isn't just a random number. It’s the result of some very aggressive, very specific interventions by Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB).
Why the Afghani stays so strong
You’ve got to realize that the Taliban administration is basically running a masterclass in currency control, even if the rest of the economy is lagging. They have banned the use of foreign currencies for domestic transactions. If you're in Kandahar or Mazar-i-Sharif, you're supposed to use AFN. Period.
Then there are the weekly dollar auctions.
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The central bank regularly injects millions of US dollars into the market to soak up excess Afghanis. This keeps the supply of AFN low and the demand for USD somewhat satisfied. According to recent reports from the World Bank and various humanitarian agencies, these auctions are the primary reason the dollar to afghani today isn't sitting at 100 or 150.
The Disconnect Between Currency and Cost of Living
Here is where it gets confusing for most people.
Even though the Afghani is "strong," the price of a bag of flour or a liter of diesel is still sky-high for the average person. We call this a "stable currency, unstable life" scenario.
- Diesel prices: Currently around 61.2 AFN per litre.
- Labour wages: Unskilled workers are making about 297 AFN per day.
- Food inflation: Prices for rice and cooking oil are actually rising because of border closures with Pakistan, regardless of what the dollar is doing.
Think about that for a second. A worker earns less than 300 AFN a day. If the dollar to afghani today is 66, that worker is making less than $5.00 a day to feed a family. The currency's strength is a bit of a "phantom" benefit; it keeps import costs from exploding, but it doesn't make people wealthy.
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Trade Disruptions and the Pakistan Factor
Since mid-October 2025, the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan has been a mess. This has forced Afghan traders to re-route everything through Iran and Central Asia.
Re-routing means higher transport costs. Higher transport costs mean that even if the Afghani gains 2% against the dollar, the price of tomatoes in the market might still go up by 5%. It’s a supply-side nightmare that the exchange rate simply can't fix.
What to Watch for in 2026
If you are planning a transfer or holding AFN, you need to keep an eye on international aid flows.
The UN recently requested $1.7 billion for humanitarian assistance in 2026. A lot of the dollar supply in Afghanistan actually comes from this aid being converted into AFN to pay for local operations. If the world gets "donor fatigue"—and there are signs of that, with only about 37% of appeals being met recently—the central bank won't have the same ammunition to support the currency.
The "Hidden" Risks
- Banking Limitations: Most international banks still won't touch Afghanistan. This makes the Hawala system (informal money transfer) the king of the market.
- Asset Freezes: Roughly $7 billion in central bank assets remain frozen in the U.S. or held in the Swiss-based "Afghan Fund." Until that money moves, the AFN is essentially on life support.
- Climate Shocks: 70% of Afghans depend on agriculture. The ongoing drought is killing crops. When crops die, Afghanistan has to import more food. When you import more food, you need more dollars.
Practical Steps for Handling AFN and USD
If you are dealing with the dollar to afghani today, don't just look at the Google ticker. The ticker represents the mid-market rate, which is often unattainable for individuals.
Watch the Sarai Shahzada updates. This is the heart of Afghan finance. If the money changers there start panicking, the official rate will eventually follow.
Diversify your holdings if possible. While the Afghani has been stable for nearly two years, it is a stability built on regulation and aid, not on industrial production or exports. Most experts, including those from the International Crisis Group, suggest that the "real" value of the currency might be weaker than the official rate if controls were lifted.
Calculate your "Real" Purchasing Power. If you are sending money home, don't just ask "how many Afghanis do I get?" Ask "how much flour does this buy today?" Because of the border issues with Pakistan and the winter peak, your dollars might not go as far as they did last summer, even if the exchange rate looks better on paper.
Stay updated on the weekly auctions by Da Afghanistan Bank. They usually happen on Sundays or Mondays. If the bank suddenly reduces the amount of dollars they auction, expect the dollar to afghani today to start climbing quickly.