Sara Wahedi is an Afghan-Canadian tech entrepreneur, humanitarian.[1] She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ehtesab, a civic technology startup in
Kabul, Afghanistan.[2][3]
Biography
Wahedi was born in
Kabul. Wahedi and her family emigrated from Kabul and settled in
Canada in 2005.[4] Wahedi founded Ehtesab in 2018.[5][6] She started the company with $2,500 of her own savings and later attracted investment from a
New York-based tech design entrepreneur, and Netlinks, one of Afghanistan's largest IT companies, which contributed an additional $40,000.[2] Ehtesab enables its users to report on local incidents, establishing it as Afghanistan's first citizen engagement platform.[7] It provides real-time security alerts and updates in three languages.[5] The app combats misinformation by providing real-time updates on
Kabul's security, energy, and traffic situations.[8] In 2021, it proved especially valuable to residents during the bombings, roadblocks, and attacks that occurred as the Taliban regained control. At that time, the company employed 20 people.[9] The app is developing covert platforms to enable women to discreetly access healthcare, education, and employment services, thereby bypassing Taliban surveillance.[7][10]
In 2024, Wahedi earned a bachelor's degree in urban studies with a concentration in architecture from
Columbia University.[11]
Accolades
Wahedi was recognized as one of
TIME Magazine's Next Generation Leaders in 2021.[12]