The blast occurred roughly at 12.50 p.m. near the Jamhoriat Hospital.
The spokesman for the Health ministry Ismail Kawosi told Efe that "up to seventeen persons had died and one hundred wounded", and had been taken to Kabul's nearby hospitals.
Among those affected by the blast were women and children, the source added.
The old building of the Afghan Interior Ministry is located at the area.
Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.