Roya Mahboob is an Afghan entrepreneur and one of the first female tech CEOs in Afghanistan. Born in Herat, she fled to Iran during the Taliban regime but returned to Afghanistan in 2003. After studying computer science at Herat University, she co-founded the Afghan Citadel Software Company (ACSC) in 2010 with the goal of empowering women in Afghanistan's growing tech industry. Her company has trained and employed numerous women, helping them gain access to digital education and employment opportunities.

Mahboob's mission to promote digital literacy for Afghan women gained international recognition, and in 2013, she was named one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. She also founded the Digital Citizen Fund (DCF) in 2012, which improves technological and financial literacy for women. Her work extends beyond software development, as she played a key role in establishing the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, known as the Afghan Dreamers, which received global acclaim. Mahboob continues to be a prominent advocate for women's rights, technology, and education in Afghanistan and beyond.