According to the Bank’s website, the objective of this project is to increase inclusive use of rural broadband internet and digitally-enabled services.

The project consists of the following five (5) components:

Component 1: Enabling Regulatory Environment and Enforcement for Connectivity Enhancement. Component 1 aims to support the Bangladesh government, in particular the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the Post and Telecommunications Division (PTD), to roll-out essential regulatory reform aimed at removing barriers that impede investment and enable stronger enforcement by the regulator.}

Component 2. Enabling Digital Services through DPI. This component supports platforms to strengthen the Government's ability to deliver secure, inclusive, and transparent digital services by responding directly to the one-ID, one-citizen, all services strategic priority. By building shared systems, data centers, and cloud capabilities, the project will reduce siloed digitalization efforts, mitigate risks related to data sharing, and address inconsistencies and inefficiencies in data management. This component will use DPI to reengineer business processes and digitalize priority public services, making them simpler, more efficient, inclusive, and user friendly for all citizens and businesses.
Subcomponent 2.1: aims to establish two critical and complementary platforms: (a) a national data exchange platform for secure and interoperable data flows across government and (b) a user-centric digital identity platform for secure identity authentication and verifiable credentials. This subcomponent will also strengthen policy and regulatory enablers; pilot DPI-enabled services; and enhance the foundations for trusted, responsible, and inclusive digital service delivery.
Subcomponent 2.2: aims to establish a robust, climate-resilient national data hosting ecosystem using modern cloud computing technologies and cybersecurity safeguards for the delivery of trusted, data-driven public services.]

Component 3: AI Skilling and AI Innovation for Digital Jobs. It will enhance the employability of IT talent and accelerate AI utilization and innovation in Bangladesh. It addresses the skills gap through a demand-driven "Learn-Verify-Match" framework, equipping youth and professionals with advanced AI skills to effectively connect highly skilled talent with quality employment opportunities. Furthermore, by providing essential resources such as a secure AI Sandbox and development environments, it supports the foundational research necessary for driving AI utilization across public and private sectors, and academia.
Subcomponent 3.1: this subcomponent will deliver technical competencies with immediate market value to 6,000 fresh graduates and 500 mid-career professionals, aligned with current and emerging demands in the digital economy.
Subcomponent 3.2: This subcomponent establishes an equitable access to a secure AI Sandbox, providing the necessary environment and resources to accelerate AI utilization across priority sectors and foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem.

Component 4. Project Management and Implementation Support. This component will strengthen the capacity of the MOPTIT and BTRC, through the provision of management and implementation support to the MOPTIT in managing and overseeing project activities.

Component 5. Contingency Emergency Response Component - CERC. This component will provide immediate response to an eligible crisis or emergency, as needed. CERC will allow for the quick disbursement of uncommitted balances as a response measure to any crisis (current or future).

The overall Project’s Environmental and Social risk is rated as “moderate” and in line with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and relevant Environmental and Social Standards. The project’s key environmental and social risks center on managing e-waste from distributed devices, protecting worker and community health and safety during fiber installation, and mitigating construction-related noise, dust, and traffic disruptions. These activities—deploying fiber, upgrading IT hardware, and training for interoperability—will generate site-specific impacts that need proactive management, including safe waste disposal, road safety, and controls for dust, noise, soil erosion, and water use. Social risks also include data privacy breaches, insufficient stakeholder engagement, labor and OHS concerns, temporary livelihood interruptions, and the exclusion of vulnerable groups—particularly small and ethnic communities— in rural areas with high illiteracy and limited access to devices and digital skills.

Total Project Cost: US$ 152.00 million
IDA Credit: US$ 142.00 million
Borrower/Recipient: US$ 10.00 million

CONTACT POINT - World Bank

Task Team Leader: Jerome Bezzina
Title: Senior Digital Specialist
Email: jbezzina@worldbank.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

To submit an information request for project information, you will have to create an account to access the Access to Information request form. You can learn more about this process at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/access-to-information/request-submission

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF THE WORLD BANK

The World Bank Inspection Panel is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who believe they are likely to be, or have been, adversely affected by a World Bank-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the Inspection Panel, they may investigate to assess whether the World Bank is following its own policies and procedures for preventing harm to people or the environment. You can contact the Inspection Panel or submit a complaint by emailing ipanel@worldbank.org. Information on how to file a complaint and a complaint request form are available at: https://www.inspectionpanel.org/how-to-file-complaint