The Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) hosted a seminar on 8 January 2026, stressing that a transition to a cashless economy is critical for Bangladesh’s long-term development.
The seminar, supported by the Gates Foundation, brought together policymakers, regulators, economists and financial sector representatives to examine how digital payments can support economic growth, financial inclusion and stronger economic governance.
PRI presented findings showing that despite progress in mobile financial services, quick response payments and online banking, Bangladesh remains largely cash-dependent.
The presentation identified limited interoperability, infrastructure gaps, cybersecurity risks and low digital literacy as the main barriers slowing the shift away from cash.
PRI outlined a proposed roadmap recommending phased reforms, stronger regulatory coordination, expanded digital infrastructure, improved consumer protection and greater financial technology innovation.
The roadmap argued that a cashless economy can lower transaction costs, reduce informality, improve transparency and strengthen overall economic governance.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Arief Hossain Khan attended the seminar as the chief guest and said coordinated action among regulators, financial institutions and technology providers is essential to ensure the transition is inclusive and secure.
PRI Chairman Zaidi Sattar said the move toward cashless transactions is part of a long economic evolution and is necessary to raise productivity and support sustained growth.
He also said the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics needs to adopt the United Nations System of National Accounts 2025 to properly capture the value generated by digital and cashless transactions in gross domestic product.
PRI Principal Economist Ashikur Rahman delivered the keynote presentation and said the cashless agenda must be elevated to a national development priority.
He said digital and cashless instruments are no longer peripheral but are key enablers of financial inclusion, improved governance and a low-transaction-cost economy.
The keynote compared Bangladesh with India and China, noting that the Cisco Digital Readiness Index 2021 shows Bangladesh lagging behind both countries in ease of doing business, technology adoption and digital infrastructure.
The analysis showed Bangladesh scores below the global average in five of six dimensions, while China leads decisively across all categories and India performs better in ease of doing business.
According to the United Nations Development Programme Digital Development Compass 2024, Bangladesh scores in the mid-range for connectivity, governance and innovation but ranks among global top performers in digital public infrastructure.
The keynote noted Bangladesh achieved the maximum score in digital payments and data exchange, indicating strong national platforms despite broader digital gaps.
The presentation also showed Bangladesh remains under-banked, with 43 per cent of adults holding an account compared with around 78 per cent in India and 89 per cent in China.
Digital payment usage remains limited, with only about one-third of adults using digital payments and only a small share participating in online commerce.
The keynote highlighted that Bangladesh relies heavily on mobile money, with 21 per cent of adults holding mobile money accounts, and relatively low account dormancy compared with India.
An open-floor discussion followed, focusing on merchant adoption, the cost of digital transactions, cybersecurity risks, rural outreach and the role of financial technology innovation.
Participants broadly agreed that coordinated action by the government, Bangladesh Bank, the private sector and development partners is necessary to advance the cashless transition.
PRI Executive Director Khurshid Alam concluded the seminar by thanking participants and reiterating PRI’s commitment to evidence-based policy dialogue to support Bangladesh’s digital transformation agenda.
