Earlier this year, consultants for Lessons for Peace: Afghanistan studied the main sources of funds for different conflict actors in Nimroz. A strategic province in south-west Afghanistan that borders Iran and Pakistan, Nimroz became the first provincial capital to be taken by the insurgents last week.

A different picture from the story told by official statistics has emerged from this research, with important implications for international partners. At a time when the Taliban are gaining territory in the fast-moving conflict in Afghanistan, this research reveals the potential importance of control over cross-border trade to the overall balance of power in the country, and the prospects for peace.

The report annex provides a detailed technical analysis explaining how revenues were calculated and mapped.

Report by the Overseas Development Institute