Grameenphone launches second phase of digital inclusion program

Grameenphone (GP) has initiated the second phase of its "Digital Inclusion for Marginalized Communities" program, a collaborative effort with Plan International Bangladesh and Telenor. The ambitious initiative aims to extend digital access and literacy to four million individuals from marginalized communities by 2028.

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Bangladesh's digital transformation should be inclusive and ensure equal opportunities for women, young people, persons with disabilities, transgender people and other marginalised communities.

The program's first phase concluded successfully, having reached more than 3.3 million people across 32 districts. Notably, women and girls comprised approximately 68 percent of the beneficiaries, highlighting a strong focus on gender inclusivity. The upcoming second phase will build upon this success by increasing the proportion of female beneficiaries to 70 percent and broadening support to encompass eight additional vulnerable communities.

During the launch event in Dhaka on July 30, Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam emphasized the importance of inclusive digital transformation in Bangladesh, advocating for equal opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. He also urged mobile operators like Grameenphone to prioritize consumer concerns regarding call drops, network quality, and data costs, stressing the need for affordable, reliable, and high-quality telecommunications services.

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meaningful connectivity extends beyond network coverage and requires digital literacy and the safe use of technology.

Yasir Azman, Grameenphone's CEO, announced that the second phase will incorporate new learning modules focused on climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods, with a particular emphasis on empowering youth economically. The first phase of the program reportedly contributed to increased engagement with online education, government services, mobile financial services, and digital income-generating activities within the participating communities.

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the second phase would introduce new learning modules on climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods while placing greater emphasis on youth economic empowerment.