September 2016—In the past 14 years, the field of information and communications technology has reconnected Afghanistan to the world.

In 2001, there were no phone lines, let alone internet providers. Today, over a million people are using the internet, and over 18 million people own cell phones, according to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

Forty-four local internet providers and four local GSM (global system for mobile communication) phone operators supply ready information to a youthful population with a thirst for knowledge and a private sector anxious to build relationships with the international business community.

This is the Afghanistan 22-year old Ahmad Tamim Mohebzada returned to after earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Allahabad University in India. Yet, despite his qualifications, he initially had difficulty finding a job.

Thanks to a leg up from USAID, he is now not only employed, but helping the company he is working for to thrive. In June 2015, Mohebzada participated in a USAID program that demonstrates how to market goods and analyze the needs of clients—knowledge that is in high demand by the increasingly diverse Afghan private sector.

Through the training, USAID also connected Mohebzada with Tolo Travel, an online travel agency that organizes travel for a diverse client base. Recognizing his ambition and expertise, the company swiftly hired him as a consultant.

Mohebzada immediately recognized the value of the new skills he had acquired. “I studied economics and marketing but did not have practical experience,” he said. “The program trained me on how to put my studies to practical use and how to sell my skills to employers.”

The new job paid off for Mohebzada and Tolo Travel, who tailored a new position just for him. He now serves as an e-commerce and online marketing officer, designing innovative ways to keep customers and entice new ones.

“I created a program where customers can earn miles for travel and designed the content for a brochure to sell this,” said Mohebzada.

He sends out regular promotional emails to customers as well as prospective clients while constantly coming up with new ways to expand the company’s client base.

Mohebzada is not alone. USAID, through the Afghanistan Workforce Development Program, has placed and promoted over 21,000 Afghans. The program runs from 2012 to 2018.

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