Abdullah Ahmadzai served as The Asia Foundation’s Country Representative in Afghanistan from 2014 until September 30, 2024. In this role, he oversaw a wide range of programs, including Governance and Elections, Islam and Development, Women’s Empowerment, Education, and the annual Survey of the Afghan People. Prior to this, he was the Foundation’s Deputy Country Representative from 2012 to 2014.
A seasoned development professional with expertise in election administration, Ahmadzai previously served as Chief Executive Officer for Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission (IEC). As head of the IEC Secretariat, he managed the 2010 elections for the Lower House of Parliament.
Before his tenure with the IEC, from June 2006 to October 2009, Ahmadzai worked with The Asia Foundation under the Support to Center of Government project in Afghanistan, first as a Senior National Capacity Building Advisor and later as Deputy Chief of Party and Chief of Party. He also held positions with the United Nations under the Joint Electoral Management Body Secretariat between 2004 and 2006, serving as an Area Manager and later as Chief of Operations.
Earlier in his career, from 2003 to 2004, Ahmadzai was involved with Afghanistan’s Constitutional Commission, which was established under the 2001 Bonn Agreement to draft a new constitution. He contributed to the Constitutional Loya Jirga and the drafting of the constitution, which was formally adopted in January 2004.
Ahmadzai holds a Bachelor of IT from Brains Degree College in Peshawar, Pakistan, and has completed professional development courses on governance, service delivery, and elections through institutions such as Harvard University, Georgetown University, and the International Foundation for Electoral Services.