Bangladesh Bank has granted approval for a special pilot programme aimed at making smartphones more accessible to underserved, rural and low-income communities and enabling more people to participate in digital and financial services.

The Payment Systems Department-1 of Bangladesh Bank issued a formal no-objection to SahajMobile BD Limited to operate the pilot programme under specified regulatory terms and conditions.

The initiative is designed not simply to increase smartphone ownership, but to address a practical barrier faced by many low-income people who cannot afford to purchase a suitable smartphone through a single upfront payment.

The pilot programme will explore a responsible and regulated model for improving smartphone accessibility. By lowering this entry barrier, the initiative has the potential to enable more people to participate in digital transactions and access a wider range of essential digital services.

Under Bangladesh Bank's directive, the pilot will operate within specified policies and conditions and will be monitored by the Payment Systems Department-1. Regular reports on the progress and relevant activities of the pilot programme will also be submitted to Bangladesh Bank.

The initiative is expected to provide valuable insights into how responsible smartphone financing and technology-enabled models can help deepen digital and financial inclusion, particularly among Bangladesh's underserved and lower-income communities.