A decade ago, the vision of a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ sparked hope and excitement. We imagined a country where bustling tech hubs in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Rajshahi would rival global innovation centers. Entrepreneurs would thrive, students would become world-class engineers, and Bangladesh would emerge as a leading digital economy. Yet, as we stand today, that vision remains only partially realized. The promise of a thriving digital economy, widespread broadband access, and globally competitive tech parks remains largely unfulfilled. Structural inefficiencies, lack of strategic execution, and misallocated resources have hindered Bangladesh from realizing its full potential in the digital age.

Now, as we move forward, we must ask ourselves: What went wrong? More importantly, how can we redefine and rebuild “Digital Bangladesh” for real impact?

Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021: What Went Wrong?

Timeline & Budget: Launched in 2009, ~$2B spent by 2021. (Source: Bangladesh ICT Division Annual Report 2021)

Reality Check:

• Internet access expanded, primarily through mobile networks, but broadband lags behind. (Source: BTRC Report 2022)
• ICT exports reached $1B, missing the ambitious $5B target by 80%. (Source: BASIS & Export Promotion Bureau 2023)
• Digital Centers promised nationwide accessibility, but many lacked proper reach and service quality. (Source: Transparency International Bangladesh 2023)

Impact: Some progress in e-services and digital literacy, but far from the promised transformation.

Path Forward:

✅ Focus on building innovation ecosystems, not just infrastructure.

✅ Expand broadband access, especially in rural areas.

✅ Set measurable goals with transparent execution to track impact.

High-Tech Parks: Empty Symbols or Economic Engines?

Timeline & Budget: Initiated in 2012, initial phase cost $191M. (Source: Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority 2022)

Reality Check:

• Parks like Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City had an occupancy rate of just 15% as of 2023, with limited foreign investment and operational businesses. (Source: Independent University Study 2023)
• Low foreign direct investment (FDI), poor connectivity, and unfulfilled job creation targets. (Source: World Bank Bangladesh Development Update 2023)

Impact: Mostly symbolic rather than functional economic hubs.

Path Forward:

✅ Attract global tech investment with tax breaks, incentives, and incubators.

✅ Establish startup-friendly regulatory policies and access to venture capital.

✅ Develop training hubs to create a skilled workforce that can fill high-value roles.

ICT Training for Youth: A Missed Opportunity?

Timeline & Budget: Started in 2014, with $30M/year allocated. (Source: Ministry of ICT & Skills Development 2023)

Reality Check:

• Bangladesh is now a top 5 freelancing nation—an achievement worth celebrating. 🎉 (Source: Upwork & Freelancer.com 2023)
• However, most freelancers remain stuck in low-value outsourcing with limited career mobility. (Source: Bangladesh Association of Software & Information Services 2023)

Impact: Growth in digital employment, but largely at the lower end of the value chain.

Path Forward:

✅ Invest in advanced training in AI, robotics, and software engineering.

✅ Strengthen university-industry linkages to create a tech-driven talent pipeline.

✅ Foster local product development instead of relying solely on outsourced work.

Redefining Digital Bangladesh: A More Prescriptive Approach

1. Set Clear Goals & Accountability

• What to do:
  • Establish a national ICT roadmap with specific GDP contributions and employment targets.
  • Implement a transparent tracking system for ICT initiatives.
  • Ensure third-party oversight by independent auditors and civil society watchdogs.

• Example: Countries like Estonia have successfully implemented e-Governance frameworks with strict accountability measures.

• UBUI’s Role: Advocate for accountability frameworks and serve as a watchdog organization for monitoring progress.

2. Foster Innovation Ecosystems for Economic Growth

• What to do:
  • Develop tech incubators in major cities and rural areas to nurture startups.
  • Provide grants and low-interest loans for emerging entrepreneurs.
  • Create a national startup accelerator program with corporate partnerships.

• Example: Singapore’s startup ecosystem thrives through government-backed accelerators and investment incentives.

• UBUI’s Role: Act as a bridge, facilitating these global partnerships and ensuring knowledge transfer.

3. Expand Digital Inclusion Beyond Urban Centers

• What to do:
  • Deploy 5G and fiber optic connectivity in underserved areas.
  • Establish local digital learning centers in schools and libraries.
  • Provide free or subsidized digital literacy programs for rural youth.

• Example: Brazil’s Connected Schools initiative has successfully expanded rural internet access and digital literacy.

• UBUI’s Role: Organize hackathons and tech bootcamps in rural areas, empowering youth with digital skills.

4. Invest in High-Value Tech & Position Bangladesh as a Global Digital Leader

• What to do:
  • Prioritize AI, cybersecurity, and IoT as national growth sectors, and establish industrial zones.
  • Provide scholarships and incentives for specialized tech education, and develop a government-backed fund.
  • Launch a “Made in Bangladesh Tech” branding initiative and showcase startups globally.

• Example: China’s strategic investment in AI and automation has fueled a booming digital economy, while South Korea’s tech branding and global positioning have made it an innovation hub. Bangladesh must follow suit.

• UBUI’s Role: UBUI will collaborate with universities to align curriculums with industry needs, facilitate mentorship programs with top global tech leaders, and act as a bridge connecting Bangladeshi startups with international investors to scale globally.

5. Ensure Public-Private Partnerships

• What to do:
  • Foster collaboration between government agencies, private tech firms, and global investors.
  • Establish a National ICT Council with key stakeholders from academia and industry.
  • Offer tax incentives for corporations investing in ICT development.

• Example: The US’s Silicon Valley flourished due to strong public-private partnerships in R&D and funding.

• UBUI’s Role: Act as a convening platform, bringing these stakeholders together for strategic collaboration.

Honoring Fahim Saleh: A Legacy of Innovation

As we shape the future of Digital Bangladesh, we must honor Bangladeshi American Fahim Saleh, a visionary who saw possibilities where others saw limits. He didn’t just build Pathao—he ignited a movement, proving that Bangladeshi innovation can rival the world. Through Adventure Capital based in NYC, he invested in young BD founders, believing that Bangladesh could be a global tech force.

Fahim was more than a startup founder; he was a dreamer, a builder, and a catalyst. His tragic loss in 2020 reminds us of the urgent need for an ecosystem that nurtures bold innovation. We need more Fahims—young minds unafraid to break barriers.

Though we lost him, his legacy lives on in our youth—in every ambitious founder daring to dream, to build, and to break barriers. Fahim embodied the true spirit of UBUI—innovation without limits. Now, it’s on us to carry the torch forward. UBUI is committed to honoring his legacy by fostering the next generation of bold innovators who will shape the future of Digital Bangladesh.

The July Uprising proved that We Bangladeshis have the talent and resilience to redefine our future. Now, we must take the next step—to build a truly Digital Bangladesh, not just in name, but in reality.🚀🇧🇩

Together, let’s transform the dream into action. Let’s make Digital Bangladesh more than a buzzword—it’s time for real progress.

Contributors: UBUI Board of Directors