By June 24, 2025, Bangladesh will introduce Google Pay as an additional digital payment method, representing an important advancement in the mobile financial services sector of the nation. The launch brings together global fintech and local banking, offering consumers a more seamless and modern way to pay. Next week, the Westin Dhaka hotel will host the launch event for City Bank, which is teaming up with Mastercard and Visa to spearhead the rollout. At first, only customers of City Bank can link their Mastercard or Visa cards to Google Wallet and make payments using Google Pay at compatible point-of-sale terminals. Support for users of other banks is expected to be introduced soon. Here’s what users can expect: Contactless tap-and-go: Android phone users can make speedy in-store payments at tap-enabled POS devices. Secure mobile wallet: Google Wallet’s tokenisation replaces card information with secure digital tokens, making the system safer. PIN-free convenience: For smaller transactions, users can complete payments without entering a PIN, making daily shopping faster and easier. Coverage will extend beyond retail stores. Google Pay will also support online payments abroad, enabling Bangladeshis to pay via mobile overseas while ensuring transaction security through encryption and tokenisation. This launch aligns with Bangladesh’s growing smartphone usage around 95% of smartphones in the country run Android, making it an ideal market for a tap-to-pay system. With City Bank supporting the initial launch, Android users with City Bank credit or debit cards will benefit from faster, more secure transactions. Bangladesh Bank officials and the U.S. Embassy’s chargé d’affaires are set to attend the launch event, reflecting its official support and international significance. Adoption of Google Pay also introduces potential benefits for financial inclusion. More people including those in peri-urban and urban areas with access to Android devices can participate in digital payments, reducing dependency on cash. It also enhances online commerce and bill payment systems, offering convenience while preserving security. Industry experts say the entry of global payments technology strengthens competition, prompting local players like bKash, Rocket, and Upay to innovate and improve services. As Google Pay expands to include other banks and card networks, it may lead to a more robust and competitive payments ecosystem in Bangladesh. In summary, the launch of Google Pay on June 24 represents a major leap in payment technology for Bangladesh. It combines international fintech standards with local banking infrastructure, giving consumers a faster, safer, and more convenient way to pay while catalyzing a stronger, more competitive digital finance system.
