Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Bangladesh’s internet penetration remains at 53 percent, with sharp gender and rural gaps limiting digital inclusion. An ADB report highlights stalled interoperability, weak digital identity coverage, and fragmented governance, while pointing to mobile finance, health platforms, and rural digital centres as foundations for leapfrogging toward 2030 goals.
MobilityOne’s Malaysian unit will integrate with bKash to enable real-time wallet-to-wallet remittances between Malaysia and Bangladesh from February 2026. The move targets the large Bangladeshi worker base in Malaysia and supports a broader shift toward digital, low-cost cross-border payments.
Bangladesh’s digital healthcare push risks leaving rural and elderly populations behind. Telecom operators offer a scalable solution, combining trust, nationwide reach, and affordability. By embedding healthcare into everyday telecom ecosystems, Bangladesh can close access gaps and turn connectivity into a true public health catalyst.
Bangladesh’s internet penetration stands at 53 percent, trailing Bhutan and the Maldives while facing gender, rural, and literacy gaps. An ADB report warns of fragmented governance and weak digital identity systems, but highlights mobile finance and “phygital” service centres as bright spots that could anchor a broader digital leap.
UNESCO Dhaka has convened digital platforms, civil society and media groups to tackle misinformation and digital risks ahead of Bangladesh’s February 2026 elections. The multi-stakeholder workshop focused on platform governance, AI-driven threats and rights-based collaboration to strengthen electoral information integrity and protect public trust.
Chattogram Port is introducing an automated system to speed up and digitize export-import processes. Implemented by Magnetic Tech Limited, the platform will centralize data, streamline documentation, and enhance transparency, helping modernize port operations and strengthen Bangladesh’s global trade infrastructure.
Grameenphone has become the first operator in Bangladesh to acquire 700MHz spectrum, paying Tk2,370 crore for 10MHz. The low-band frequency will improve rural and indoor coverage, strengthen 4G and future 5G networks, and mark a major upgrade in nationwide mobile broadband capability.
Robi Axiata has partnered with PUBG Mobile’s Rising Star tournament to engage Bangladesh’s gaming community and showcase Robi Supernet’s low-latency performance. The nationwide competition culminated in a Dhaka finale, positioning gaming as a real-world use case for demonstrating network quality and digital lifestyle alignment.
Orange Corners Bangladesh has launched its next phase for 2026–2028, expanding incubation, ecosystem engagement, and investment pathways for youth-led ventures. Implemented by YY Ventures, the programme has already supported over 70 startups nationwide and will deepen its focus on young founders, women entrepreneurs, and regions beyond Dhaka.
Jatri has secured a strategic investment from Gobi Partners, marking the VC firm’s first entry into Bangladesh. The deal will fuel product innovation and MENA expansion through Saafir, as the Dhaka-based platform scales its unified model for global travel inventory, distribution, and embedded trade finance across enterprise markets.