Visa and The Asia Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to advance digital financial inclusion and skills across Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, targeting underserved groups and small businesses.
The agreement sets a non-binding framework to explore joint programmes on digital literacy, women’s economic participation, micro, small and medium enterprises digitisation, youth skills and policy advocacy, Visa said in a press release.
The move aims to expand secure digital payments adoption and strengthen participation in the digital economy, as South Asia pushes for broader financial access and technology-driven growth.
Visa Country Manager for Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan Sabbir Ahmed said, “Through this collaboration, Visa and The Asia Foundation aim to jointly explore programmes that can help women entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises, rural communities, and youth build essential financial and digital skills.”
The Asia Foundation Country Representative Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj said the partnership would focus on practical, locally grounded approaches to expand economic opportunity and support underserved communities.
The planned cooperation will also examine cybersecurity awareness, artificial intelligence literacy, and innovation in inclusive financial technology and sustainable finance.
The MoU does not commit funding or specific projects, with future initiatives subject to separate agreements.
