Afghanistan continues to face daunting challenges, including endemic poverty and lack of human capacity; insecurity; weak governance and institutionalized corruption; opium exports equal to 22% of gross domestic product; rampant gender inequality; and policy, regulatory, and institutional constraints that have limited effective growth in public and private sectors.

ADB's country partnership strategy (CPS), 2009–2013, continues ADB's focus on Afghanistan's energy, transportation and communications, agriculture and natural resources, and governance.