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Digital banking will not only drive economic growth but also promote equity, stability, and shared prosperity, said Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed. “Digital banking is a bridge to financial inclusion for all,” he noted.

He was speaking on Thursday at a focus group discussion titled “Digital Banking for All: Bridging Financial Inclusion” held at the DCCI auditorium.

The event was attended by ICT Division Secretary Shish Haydar Chowdhury as chief guest, while Bangladesh Bank Executive Director Dr Md Ejazul Islam and Robi Axiata’s Head of Commercial Partnerships joined as special guests.

Highlighting the rapid growth of digital finance, Taskeen said that since the launch of mobile financial services (MFS) in 2011, nearly 54 percent of the population is now using such services. Modern systems like agent banking, RTGS, BEFTN, and U-Pay gateways have made transactions faster, safer, and more convenient.

He also pointed to notable progress in inclusion. Women-led deposit accounts rose from 33 million in 2011 to 55 million in 2024, while school banking accounts climbed to 4.4 million, helping improve financial literacy.

However, challenges remain. Only 30 percent of the population uses financial cards, he said, citing low financial literacy, weak technology adoption, high service costs, limited coverage, cybersecurity risks, and lack of consumer protection. Rural women, the extreme poor, and coastal communities remain the most excluded.

To address this, Taskeen called for three priorities: strengthening digital infrastructure, enhancing financial and digital literacy, and ensuring stronger consumer protection with robust cybersecurity.

“Financial inclusion is not just about access—it is about usage, trust, and opportunity,” he said. “If we succeed, digital banking will open the door to a prosperous future for every citizen of Bangladesh.”