As Bangladesh’s job market struggles to absorb a growing number of graduates, a new generation of young people is turning to digital platforms to build income streams outside traditional employment.
For Bikram Mukherjee of Jashore, Md Shihab Uddin of Noakhali and Md Shakil Mia of Sylhet, affiliate marketing began as a way to earn extra money. Over time, it became a source of regular income, helping them achieve financial independence through the Daraz Affiliate Programme.
Their journeys reflect a broader shift in Bangladesh’s labour market, where digital platforms are creating new opportunities for students, young professionals and content creators seeking alternatives to conventional jobs.
More than 906,000 university graduates were unemployed in 2023, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics data. Youth unemployment reached 9.39 per cent and graduate unemployment stood at 13.5 per cent in 2025, increasing pressure on young people to explore new forms of work.
Affiliate marketing has emerged as one such option. The performance-based model allows individuals to earn commissions by promoting products through social media, messaging platforms and online communities. Unlike traditional businesses, it does not require inventory ownership or significant upfront investment.
Daraz, one of Bangladesh’s largest e-commerce platforms, has built one of the country’s biggest affiliate ecosystems around this model. More than 53,000 individuals and brands have participated in the Daraz Affiliate Programme, while over 10,000 active affiliates engage with the platform every month.
Through the programme, affiliates promote products from more than 50,000 active sellers offering over 23 million products across categories, earning commissions when customers purchase through their shared links.
The rise of affiliate marketing comes as Bangladesh’s digital economy expands. The country has more than 650,000 freelancers generating over $500 million in annual foreign earnings, while the influencer marketing industry was valued at around $35.23 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $48.71 million by 2029, according to Statista.
For Bikram, affiliate marketing started during his master’s studies when he was looking for a part-time income opportunity. A friend introduced him to the Daraz Affiliate Programme, and he joined in late 2022.
His first successful order earned him Tk2,400 in commission, but the experience convinced him that the model had potential.
“I never imagined this journey would take me this far. Today, I have built a house worth around Tk15 lakh. Although part of it was financed through a loan, I am now repaying that loan with the income I earn from affiliate marketing,” he said.
Bikram now promotes fashion, beauty products and gadgets through Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Telegram, using online communities to reach potential customers.
Shihab entered affiliate marketing from a different starting point. While working a full-time job, he noticed people sharing Daraz product links in Facebook groups and began learning about the business model through YouTube.
He joined the programme in early 2023 as a side hustle. As his earnings became more consistent, he decided to leave his job and pursue affiliate marketing full-time.
Today, he earns around Tk50,000 or more a month through affiliate marketing. The income helped him buy his first motorcycle and begin building his own home.
“The freedom it offers motivated me to continue. I do not have to commute anywhere, I can work from home and still have enough time for my family and other responsibilities,” he said.
Shakil discovered affiliate marketing while studying at Sreemangal Government College. Looking for a way to earn pocket money, he came across the Daraz Affiliate Programme through a Facebook group in late 2022.
Before joining, he spent time learning how affiliate marketing worked through online tutorials. His first successful order came in January 2023.
Although the initial commission was small, he earned around Tk15,000 in his first month, giving him confidence to continue. His monthly income now averages around Tk50,000 and has reached Tk1.5 lakh during major campaign periods.
Shakil has built a Facebook community of around 400,000 members alongside his YouTube channel and Telegram group, with Facebook generating most of his affiliate sales.
The programme has attracted a diverse group of participants, including students, homemakers, young professionals and content creators. Beyond income, many participants use the experience to develop skills in digital marketing, audience engagement, content creation and customer behaviour analysis.
The three affiliates said they preferred working with a local platform because it allowed them to better understand Bangladeshi customers and build trust.
“I chose the Daraz Affiliate Programme because it is one of Bangladesh’s pioneering e-commerce platforms, and working with local customers is much easier,” Bikram said. “There are no language barriers or time zone differences like international platforms. If I face any problem, I can easily communicate with the support team.”
Shihab said promoting products from a familiar local platform helped him connect with customers more effectively.
“People already know Daraz, so they trust the products and the buying process,” he said.
Daraz Group Chief Commercial Officer and Daraz Bangladesh Managing Director Ben Yi said Bangladesh’s online retail sector still has significant room for expansion.
“Online retail currently accounts for only around 2 to 3 per cent of total retail in Bangladesh. But with continued improvements in trust, logistics and digital adoption, Bangladesh has the potential to reach double-digit e-commerce penetration in the coming years,” he said.
