To say that Bangladesh was obsessed with digitization for years would be an understatement. Yet, while digitization is unquestionably a worthy pursuit that, if done right, would help countless Bangladeshis, the reality is that without proper planning and implementation, digitization is reduced to squandering public funds and little more. That funds are diverted to such projects that ultimately deliver little beyond dreams of a digital future is nothing if not frustrating. Every wasted taka on dysfunctional technology is a taka denied to essential services that could transform lives. As such, while digitization is and will continue to be of importance, it is necessary for subsequent administrations of Bangladesh to prioritize spending public funds better - investing in essentials such as roads, drainage, healthcare, education, and the likes before chasing after gadgets that serve more as status symbols than solutions.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 23, 2026 08:00 UTC