Sara Wahedi

Sara Wahedi is an Afghan-Canadian tech entrepreneur and humanitarian. She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ehtesab, a civic technology startup in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Biography
Wahedi was born in Kabul. Wahedi and her family emigrated from Kabul and settled in Canada in 2005. Wahedi founded Ehtesab in 2018. 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. Ehtesab enables its users to report on local incidents, establishing it as Afghanistan's first citizen engagement platform. It provides real-time security alerts and updates in three languages. The app combats misinformation by providing real-time updates on Kabul's security, energy, and traffic situations. In 2021, it proved especially valuable to residents during the bombings, roadblocks, and attacks that occurred as the Taliban regained control of Aghanistan. At that time, the company employed 20 people. The app is developing covert platforms to enable women to discreetly access healthcare, education, and employment services, thereby bypassing Taliban surveillance and restrictions.

In 2024, Wahedi earned a bachelor's degree in urban studies with a concentration in architecture from Columbia University.

Accolades

 * Wahedi was recognized as one of TIME Magazine's Next Generation Leaders in 2021.
 * Wahedi has been named as Clarendon Scholar to attend Oxford University in 2024.
 * She was listed among MIT Technology Review's Innovators Under 35 in 2022.
 * In 2023, she was awarded as Entrepreneur of the Year by One Young World.
 * Wahedi was included in Top 100 inspiring and influential women by BBC in 2021.
 * In 2023, she was named to Forbes "30 Under 30" list for Social Impact.
 * In 2023, she was inducted into GS Honor Society.