Bangladesh Bank has granted approval for a special pilot programme aimed at making smartphones more accessible to underserved, rural and low-income communities and enabling more people to participate in digital and financial services.
On August 9, the Payment Systems Department-1 of Bangladesh Bank issued a formal no-objection to SahajMobile BD Limited to operate the pilot programme under specified regulatory terms and conditions.
The initiative is designed not simply to increase smartphone ownership, but to address a practical barrier faced by many low-income people who cannot afford to purchase a suitable smartphone through a single upfront payment.
Today, a smartphone is increasingly becoming a gateway to essential services. Mobile Financial Services (MFS), digital payments, online education, healthcare information, government digital services, agricultural and market information, employment opportunities and small-business activities are increasingly accessible through smartphones.
However, while Bangladesh's digital infrastructure and services continue to expand, many people - particularly in rural and lower-income communities - may still be unable to fully participate because of the cost of acquiring an appropriate smartphone.
The pilot programme will explore a responsible and regulated model for improving smartphone accessibility. By lowering this entry barrier, the initiative has the potential to enable more people to participate in digital transactions and access a wider range of essential digital services.
Abu Nayem Faiz, Managing Director of SahajMobile BD Limited, said, "For many people today, a smartphone is much more than a device. It can be a gateway to financial services, information, education, employment and new economic opportunities. The purpose of this initiative is to help ensure that financial limitations do not prevent people from accessing those opportunities."
He added, "The pilot will be implemented responsibly under the guidance and supervision of Bangladesh Bank. We hope the experience gained from this programme can contribute to creating broader opportunities for digital participation in Bangladesh."
Abu Al Motalib, Director of SahajMobile BD Limited, said, "The true benefit of Bangladesh's digital transformation will be realised when a small entrepreneur, farmer, worker or low-income family living outside the major cities can participate in the digital economy as easily as anyone else."
He added, "Putting an appropriate smartphone within someone's reach is not simply about providing a device. It can give that person access to banking, digital payments, education, information, business opportunities and many other essential services. That broader social and economic impact is what makes this initiative important."
Under Bangladesh Bank's directive, the pilot will operate within specified policies and conditions and will be monitored by the Payment Systems Department-1. Regular reports on the progress and relevant activities of the pilot programme will also be submitted to Bangladesh Bank.
The initiative is expected to provide valuable insights into how responsible smartphone financing and technology-enabled models can help deepen digital and financial inclusion, particularly among Bangladesh's underserved and lower-income communities.
