"Steven MacQueen, who was working for the [Afghan] Ministry of Rural Development and Rehabilitation, was killed last night," British embassy press officer Colin Ball said on Tuesday.

"The Afghan police are investigating the shooting. His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with the family," he said.

MacQueen, 41, was the director of the World Bank-backed MicroFinance Investment and Support Facility for Afghanistan. He was driving home alone when he was killed by a single shot fired from another vehicle. "The attackers managed to escape the scene," the police said.

The reason for the attack remained unclear, and the body has been taken to hospital for a post-mortem examination.