Digital Divide Country Profile · Asia

Bangladesh

Closing the digital divide, expanding meaningful connectivity, and advancing digital education and workforce participation.

National digital inclusion context

A portfolio-based view of access, capability, and outcomes.

This profile organizes the initiatives directly connected to Bangladesh in the global research inventory. It follows the study's country-profile framework: national context, broadband infrastructure, inclusion practices, education and workforce connections, implementation actors, and intended contribution.

The documented portfolio emphasizes Data Center / Cloud Infrastructure, Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure, Backbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile Infrastructure, Cloud Computing, E-Learning / Virtual Learning. The profile treats infrastructure, affordability, capability, institutions, support, and outcomes as an interconnected system.

Portfolio pattern

What the documented response contains.

Counts reflect source-workbook tags. One initiative may appear in multiple infrastructure or technology categories.

Infrastructure and access

Data Center / Cloud Infrastructure2
Telecommunications / Broadband Infrastructure2
Backbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile Infrastructure1
Community Access Infrastructure1
Digital Governance Ecosystem1

Specific technologies

Cloud Computing2
E-Learning / Virtual Learning2
2G Mobile1
4G1
700 MHz mobile spectrum1

Intervention classification

Neither explicitly identified10
Infrastructure and Specific Technology6
Specific Technology only2
AI Governance + Capacity Building + Higher Education + Inclusion1
Nationwide low-band mobile-connectivity deployment1

Education and workforce

Connectivity becomes consequential through participation.

12 initiatives explicitly connect to education, K–12, or college/university contexts, and 9 connect to workforce development. Other investments may enable these outcomes indirectly.

Access

Networks, service availability, devices, and connection quality.

Capability

Skills, confidence, accessibility, navigation, and support.

Participation

Education, work, health, government, and civic opportunity.

Sustainability

Governance, operations, maintenance, funding, and learning.

Project and initiative portfolio

20 documented records

Every directly tagged record is shown with details and supporting URLs preserved from the research workbook.

Integrated rural-development and digital-service pilot

Bangladesh SDG Village Pilot Project

Launched August 10, 2026 · Pankhali (Khulna); Mitingachhari (Rangamati); Nafanagar (Dinajpur)

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Status / periodLaunched August 10, 2026LocationPankhali (Khulna); Mitingachhari (Rangamati); Nafanagar (Dinajpur)PopulationRural residents, students, women, farmers and local communitiesOrganizationsGovernment of Bangladesh; local government administrationsFundingGovernment pilot; amount not stated

addressing multidimensional rural exclusion by combining digital-service expansion with education, health, livelihoods, energy and infrastructure

Activities and approach: Three-village pilot integrating digital services and technology with poverty reduction, education, healthcare, water, sanitation, women’s empowerment, renewable energy and livelihoods

Digital Public InfrastructureCommunity Access InfrastructureDigital public servicescommunity technology access

EducationK–12Workforce

Digital governance; AI governance; capacity development; training; policy dialogue; public participation

BIGF–AIUB Inclusive AI and Digital Governance Partnership

Memorandum of understanding signed July 16, 2026 · Bangladesh; AIUB and national multistakeholder digital-governance community

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Status / periodMemorandum of understanding signed July 16, 2026LocationBangladesh; AIUB and national multistakeholder digital-governance communityPopulationStudents, researchers, journalists, civil society, policymakers, technical experts, women, youth, rural communities and persons with disabilitiesOrganizationsBangladesh Internet Governance Forum; American International University-Bangladesh Department of Journalism and Mass CommunicationFundingFunding not stated; institutional partnership and national multistakeholder reach

Broadens participation in digital-policy and AI-governance processes and builds knowledge and skills among groups that can be underrepresented in technology decision-making.

Activities and approach: Research; policy dialogue; awareness programmes; training initiatives; stakeholder consultations; Internet governance and AI-governance participation

Digital Governance EcosystemArtificial intelligenceinternet governancedigital platforms

Inclusive ICT skills and employment program

BRAC nationwide ICT programme for persons with disabilities

Active · Nationwide; 15 centers

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Status / periodActiveLocationNationwide; 15 centersPopulationDifferently-abled individualsOrganizationsBRAC Skills Development ProgrammeFunding15 centers

Builds market-relevant digital and vocational competencies, accessibility, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities.

Activities and approach: Technical, vocational, entrepreneurial, and ICT training across 15 centers.

EducationWorkforce

Youth vocational skills development

Building Youth Employability through Skills (BYETS)

Active · 12 districts across 4 divisions

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Status / periodActiveLocation12 districts across 4 divisionsPopulationYouth, including persons with disabilities in inclusion-focused componentsOrganizationsSwisscontactFundingTarget: 25,000 youth by 2026

Develops employability skills in ICT, ready-made garments, and agro-processing, with explicit disability-inclusion work.

Activities and approach: Vocational training; ICT training; inclusive curriculum; partnerships.

EducationWorkforce

Inclusive ICT training

BYETS-CRP disability ICT pilot

Pilot / active · Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed facilities

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Status / periodPilot / activeLocationCentre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed facilitiesPopulationPeople with mobility disabilitiesOrganizationsSwisscontact; Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed; ICT Industry Skills Council; National Skills Development AuthorityFundingTargeted at least 20 people; lab capacity 10 at a time

Tests inclusive ICT skills training and curriculum changes for people with disabilities, while identifying device and lab-capacity barriers.

Activities and approach: Pilot training; CRP lab; inclusive curriculum refinement with ICT Industry Skills Council under NSDA.

Education

Disability and gender-inclusive vocational training

CRP Gonakbari vocational training center for girls with disabilities

Active · Gonakbari

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Status / periodActiveLocationGonakbariPopulationGirls and women with disabilitiesOrganizationsCRP MM Vocational Training Institute; Marks & SpencerFundingCapacity to train 40 girls

Provides training capacity for women with disabilities who face mobility, social, and employment barriers.

Activities and approach: Vocational skills training; dedicated center capacity.

EducationWorkforce

Disability-inclusive training capacity expansion

CRP Manikganj center expansion

Planned expansion · Manikganj

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Status / periodPlanned expansionLocationManikganjPopulationWomen and persons with disabilitiesOrganizationsCRP MM Vocational Training InstituteFundingCenter accommodates 30 trainees but residential space for 10 girls; additional floor planned

Expands residential and training capacity so more women with disabilities can participate in skills programs.

Activities and approach: Additional floor planned; residential capacity expansion; digital marketing training for wheelchair users.

EducationWorkforce

Disability-focused digital-skills and employability training

CRP MS Office and Digital Marketing training

Active · CRP

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Status / periodActiveLocationCRPPopulationPersons with disabilitiesOrganizationsCentre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP)FundingFive-month course

Builds office productivity and digital marketing skills to support employment and freelancing.

Activities and approach: Five-month training; Microsoft Office; SEO; social media marketing; SMS and email marketing; residential support.

EducationWorkforce

Digital entrepreneurship / access to innovation infrastructure

EDGE Digital Entrepreneurship Hub

Implementation component of EDGE · Janata Software Technology Park, Dhaka

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Status / periodImplementation component of EDGELocationJanata Software Technology Park, DhakaPopulationYouth, entrepreneurs, IT/ITES firms and startupsOrganizationsBangladesh Computer Council; World Bank; Government of Bangladesh

Creates an accessible digital entrepreneurship hub and ecosystem to expand participation in the digital economy and technology-enabled jobs.

Activities and approach: Innovation hub; green facility; startup support; private investment attraction; IT/ITES ecosystem.

Workforce

Shared digital infrastructure

EDGE National Government Cloud and Secure Digital Platform

Implementation component of EDGE · National government

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Status / periodImplementation component of EDGELocationNational governmentPopulationCitizens and businesses relying on public digital services; government agenciesOrganizationsBangladesh Computer Council; Government of Bangladesh; World Bank

Creates shared cloud and secure digital infrastructure that enables reliable online public services at national scale.

Activities and approach: Integrated cloud platform; cybersecurity; shared government digital infrastructure; virtual service delivery.

Data Center / Cloud InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband InfrastructureCloud Computing

Digital infrastructure, government platforms and skills

Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project

2020–2025; implementation extended/restructured · National

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Status / period2020–2025; implementation extended/restructuredLocationNationalPopulationCitizens, businesses, youth, IT firms and public agenciesOrganizationsGovernment of Bangladesh; Bangladesh Computer Council; World Bank

Strengthens digital-government infrastructure and service delivery while developing digital skills and digitally enabled employment.

Activities and approach: Government cloud; cybersecurity; digital platforms; skills training; digital economy support.

Data Center / Cloud InfrastructureTelecommunications / Broadband InfrastructureCloud Computing

EducationWorkforce

Education accessibility and teacher training policy

EU-government mainstream education disability-inclusion budget support

Active / implementation limited · Government and private TVET facilities

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Status / periodActive / implementation limitedLocationGovernment and private TVET facilitiesPopulationStudents with special needs and persons with disabilitiesOrganizationsEuropean Union; Government of Bangladesh; public and private TVET institutionsFundingTwo inclusion sub-indicators

Uses budget-support indicators to encourage accessible infrastructure and teacher capacity for disability inclusion.

Activities and approach: Two disability-inclusion sub-indicators; accessibility improvements; physical infrastructure upgrades; teacher training.

EducationK–12

Nationwide low-band mobile-connectivity deployment

Grameenphone Nationwide 700 MHz Spectrum Deployment

Launched June 14, 2026 · Nationwide, with particular benefit to rural and underserved areas

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Status / periodLaunched June 14, 2026LocationNationwide, with particular benefit to rural and underserved areasPopulationMobile users in rural, indoor, and underserved coverage areasOrganizationsGrameenphone; Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory CommissionFunding10 MHz allocation for 13 years; approximately BDT 2,200 crore over the allocation period

using low-band spectrum to expand coverage more quickly and cost-effectively while strengthening 4G and future 5G readiness

Activities and approach: Nationwide 700 MHz rollout; rural and indoor coverage improvement; 4G enhancement; 5G preparation

Nationwide mobile broadband radio-access network700 MHz mobile spectrum4Gfuture 5G

Device affordability / financial inclusion

Grameenphone–PalmPay Cardless Smartphone EMI Programme

Launched May 2025 · Bangladesh nationwide

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Status / periodLaunched May 2025LocationBangladesh nationwidePopulationConsumers unable to purchase smartphones upfront or access conventional credit-card financingOrganizationsGrameenphone; PalmPay; device manufacturers and retail partnersFundingNot stated in source

Reduces the smartphone affordability barrier through cardless installment financing.

Activities and approach: Cardless EMI; smartphone retail distribution; flexible payments

End-user mobile device accessSmartphonesmobile broadband

National fiber and government network expansion

Info-Sarker Phase III

Procurement / implementation · 1,293 unions in 31 districts plus district/upazila backbone

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Status / periodProcurement / implementationLocation1,293 unions in 31 districts plus district/upazila backbonePopulationRural communities and government/public-service usersOrganizationsBangladesh Computer Council; ICT Division; PPP Authority; private NTTN operators

Extends internet connectivity into rural unions and expands backbone infrastructure, directly addressing geographic broadband gaps.

Activities and approach: Optical fiber; union connectivity; district/upazila backbone; PPP operations and maintenance.

Fiber / Fixed Broadband InfrastructureBackbone / Backhaul / Middle-Mile InfrastructureLast-Mile / Access InfrastructureFiber/Fiber Optic

Accessible e-learning platform

Muktopaath

Active · National / online

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Status / periodActiveLocationNational / onlinePopulationDifferently-abled citizensOrganizationsA2iFundingNot quantified in source

Provides a dedicated e-learning pathway supporting digital inclusion, digital literacy, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

Activities and approach: Blended learning; e-learning; accessibility training; digital literacy.

E-Learning / Virtual Learning

Education

Affordable online ICT training

Programming Hero and Ostad affordable online ICT programs

Active · Online / national

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Status / periodActiveLocationOnline / nationalPopulationLearners including persons with disabilities who can access online trainingOrganizationsProgramming Hero; OstadFundingNot quantified

Offers lower-cost e-learning pathways that can reduce mobility barriers and expand access to ICT skills.

Activities and approach: Affordable online programs; e-learning.

E-Learning / Virtual Learning

Education

Localized digital health / maternal and child health / AI-enabled family support

ToguMogu Parenting and Family Health Digital Platform

Active; launched 2017 and expanded through national and partner health programs · Bangladesh; designed especially for families facing low data, basic-phone, literacy and local-language access constraints

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Status / periodActive; launched 2017 and expanded through national and partner health programsLocationBangladesh; designed especially for families facing low data, basic-phone, literacy and local-language access constraintsPopulationPregnant women; mothers; families with children up to age 10; garment workers; families underserved by conventional digital-health platformsOrganizationsToguMogu; UNFPA Bangladesh; Directorate General of Family Planning; Jhpiego; BRAC; H&M Foundation; The Asia FoundationFundingSelected among 10 Equalizer Accelerator projects; additional partner support through STITCH; funding amounts not specified in source

Uses locally designed, Bangla-language, low-bandwidth digital health delivery to reach families who are poorly served by imported smartphone-centric platforms, linking information, consultations and public-health programs to users under real connectivity and literacy constraints.

Activities and approach: Pregnancy tracking; localized health and parenting content; AI personalization; doctor consultations; messaging-channel delivery; 2G-compatible access; early-childhood learning; national reproductive-health integration

Digital Health Service InfrastructureTechnology-Enabled Service InfrastructureArtificial Intelligence2G Mobile

Education

Disability policy and awareness project

UN Women-ILO-seven OPDs disability policy project

Recent / completed or ongoing not specified · Bangladesh

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Status / periodRecent / completed or ongoing not specifiedLocationBangladeshPopulationWomen with disabilities and broader disability communityOrganizationsUN Women; International Labour Organization; seven Organizations of Persons with DisabilitiesFundingSeven OPDs involved

Identified policy gaps, low awareness, and intersectional barriers affecting women with disabilities.

Activities and approach: Policy-gap identification; awareness; collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities.

Public digital access / assisted connectivity

Union Digital Centres

Ongoing national service network · Union-level service centers nationwide

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Status / periodOngoing national service networkLocationUnion-level service centers nationwidePopulationRural residents, women, entrepreneurs and people needing assisted access to online servicesOrganizationsAspire to Innovate (a2i); local government; Union Digital Centre entrepreneurs

Provides local access points and assisted digital services close to rural communities, reducing distance, skills and access barriers.

Activities and approach: Community digital centers; assisted e-services; entrepreneurship; internet-enabled public services.

Workforce

Evidence boundary

Read the portfolio as a starting point, not a final verdict.

Project records document interventions and intended contributions; they do not alone prove nationwide coverage, causal impact, or durable closure.

Profiles will deepen as national statistics, policy documents, evaluations, and implementation evidence are incorporated. Source links allow inspection of underlying evidence.

Evidence and contextProfile Sources

These sources support the country-level demographic, geographic, and connectivity context. Sources tied to individual projects remain with their project records and are not repeated here.

Central Intelligence Agency. (n.d.). Bangladesh. The World Factbook. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/bangladesh/
International Telecommunication Union. (n.d.). ITU DataHub: Country ICT data. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://datahub.itu.int/
World Bank. (n.d.). Individuals using the Internet (% of population): Bangladesh. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=BD
World Bank. (n.d.). Population, total: Bangladesh. World Development Indicators. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=BD

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