The following is a list of notable Afghan people, which includes all the ethnic groups of the modern state of Afghanistan. Afghanistan has gone through territorial changes. This list generally excludes Ethnic Pashtuns who originate from regions that were not controlled by Afghanistan at the time, though there are exceptions for certain figures who are prominent to Pashtuns. It also includes historical figures coming from the present day borders of Afghanistan, even if they were non-Pashtuns.
Ahmad Shah Durrani (1747–1772) was the founder of the Durrani Empire and is regarded by some (though there is no historical record) as the founder of the modern state of Afghanistan
Kubra Noorzai Afghan politician. She was the first woman to become a government minister in the country.
Nasima Razmyar Afghan-Finnish politician, elected to the Finnish Parliament in 2015
Mohammad Nabi Omari Afghan politician, governor of Khost province and held for nearly twelve years in extrajudicial detention in the United States Guantanamo Bay
Abdul Raziq Achakzai Afghan Army Lieutenant General and Police Chief, considered to be one of the most powerful security officials in Afghanistan for the last few years of his life
Abdul Ahad Mohmand – astronaut, he became the first Afghan citizen and the fourth Muslim to visit outer space, he also made Pashto the 4th spoken language in space.
Khalid ibn Barmak – born in Balkh, 8th century Soldier and administrator
Robert Joffrey – born Anver Bey Abdullah Jaffa Khan to Afghan father and Italian mother; choreographer, dancer, director
Afghana – tribal chief or prince of Pashtuns, traditionally considered the progenitor of modern-day Pashtuns.
Yoram Cohen – born to Afghan Jewish parents, director of Israel's internal security service "Shin Bet"
Zablon Simintov – Afghan Jewish carpet trader and restaurateur; widely known for being thought as the last Jew remaining in Afghanistan
Malalai of Maiwand – national folk hero of Afghanistan also known as "Afghan Jeanne d'Arc"; rallied the Pashtun fighters to fight against the British invaders in the Battle of Maiwand causing an Afghan victory