A new national plan — the draft National Digital Transformation Strategy (2025–2030) — aims to move Bangladesh from simple connectivity to real global competitiveness by making digital tools work for people and businesses. The plan calls for a shared national architecture, named the Bangladesh National Digital Architecture, and a National Data Exchange so different parts of government and local services can talk to each other and serve citizens faster. Leaders point to strong gains already made: mobile penetration is high and mobile wallets like bKash and Nagad have put financial services in many hands. The next step is not only more users but better services that help small shops, farmers and students earn more and move into new markets. To do that, experts want a bigger digital finance system, including an Interoperable Instant Payment System that lets money move quickly between banks, wallets and apps. They also want rules that let fintechs try new ideas in safe testing zones and new tools like AI and cloud to make public services smarter and cheaper. Education must play a central role so people can build and use new tools. Schools and colleges should teach coding, data thinking and basic AI ideas, while vocational training can prepare people for technical jobs. Special attention is needed to bring rural areas and women into the digital picture, so rural broadband, training centers and scholarships are part of the plan. Cybersecurity and data rules are a key part of building trust so people will use online systems without fear. The strategy suggests training many cybersecurity workers, setting data privacy rules and creating an independent body to watch how AI and data are used. Cloud services and blockchain pilots are named as ways to boost efficiency, protect records and reduce fraud in areas like land registration, health and trade. Still, the plan admits there are real risks: old government silos, slow rules, a skills gap and the chance of cyberattacks or unfair algorithms. Policymakers are urged to speed up laws on data protection, create clear cloud standards and act to keep the tech fair and safe. If the ideas are carried out well, the payoff could be big: small businesses could sell more online, young people could find work as freelancers or tech workers, and the country could earn more by exporting software and fintech services. A focus on fairness, clear rules and hands-on training could help turn a generation of users into makers and builders, and make digital progress an engine for jobs, better services and a stronger local economy for towns and villages across the country. Many groups must now work together to make the plan real and ensure its benefits quickly reach everyone, everywhere.
