TUESDAY, JUNE 24, 2025

Dhaka, Bangladesh— Today is a big day for money in Bangladesh. For the very first time, Google Pay has officially launched in the country. This is a major step forward. It moves Bangladesh closer to a future where people use less cash. Instead, they will use digital payments more often.

The launch happened in Dhaka, the capital city. It took place at a nice hotel called The Westin Dhaka. This hotel is in the Gulshan area. Many important people came to celebrate this new service.

What is Google Pay?

Google Pay is an app for your phone. It is made by Google, a huge tech company. The app lets you pay for things without using physical money or even your plastic bank card. Think of it like a digital wallet living inside your smartphone.

How Does it Work in Bangladesh?

Right now, this new service is starting with one bank: City Bank. If you are a City Bank customer, you can use Google Pay. Here’s what you need to do:

Download the App: First, you need the Google Wallet app on your phone. Your phone needs to be an Android phone. (This means it uses the Android operating system, like many Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, or Google Pixel phones).
Link Your Card: Open the Google Wallet app. Then, you can add your City Bank debit card or credit card to the app. The card must be either a Visa card or a Mastercard. These are the two big international card payment networks.
Pay with a Tap: When you want to buy something, look for a payment machine (called a POS terminal) that has a special symbol. This symbol looks like radio waves or the letters “NFC.” NFC stands for “Near Field Communication.” It’s a technology that lets devices talk to each other when they are very close—just a few centimeters apart.
Unlock and Tap: Unlock your phone. Hold the back of your phone very close to the payment machine. You don’t need to open the app first. Just tap and hold it near the machine for a second.
Done!: If everything is okay, the payment machine will beep or show a green light. The money is taken from your linked City Bank card. The whole payment happens in seconds. You do not need to touch anything else or sign a paper.

Who Brought Google Pay to Bangladesh?

This launch was not done by Google alone. It was a team effort. Four big companies worked together:

Google: They made the Google Pay and Google Wallet technology.
City Bank: They are the first bank in Bangladesh to offer this service to their customers. They connect their customers’ cards to Google Pay.
Mastercard: They provide one of the payment networks. This network helps move the money securely between your bank and the shop.
Visa: They provide the other major payment network. They do the same job as Mastercard for Visa cards.

Because of this partnership, City Bank customers are the first Bangladeshis who can use Google Pay.

Security: Keeping Your Money Safe

Using your phone to pay might seem scary. What if someone steals your phone? What if hackers get your card details? Google Pay is designed to be very safe. Here’s how:

Not Storing Your Real Card Number: When you add your card to Google Wallet, Google doesn’t actually store your real 16-digit card number on your phone or their servers. Instead, they create a unique “virtual account number.” This special number is what gets shared with the payment machine when you tap. If a hacker somehow got this virtual number, it would be useless to them. They couldn’t use it to buy things elsewhere.
Encryption: All the information sent between your phone and the payment machine is scrambled. This scrambling is called “encryption.” It uses very complex codes. This makes it nearly impossible for anyone to steal your information while it’s traveling.
Phone Lock: To use Google Pay, your phone must be locked with a PIN, pattern, password, or fingerprint/facial recognition. This means if you lose your phone, a stranger cannot just pick it up and start tapping to pay. They would need to unlock your phone first.
Transaction Notifications: You usually get an instant notification on your phone after each payment. This helps you see if any strange payment happens that you didn’t make.
Remote Lock/Erase: If you lose your phone, you can use another device or computer to find it. You can also lock it remotely. You can even erase all the data, including your payment cards, from far away. This protects your information.

Because of these layers of security, Google Pay is often considered safer than using a physical card. It also means you don’t need to carry your actual cards everywhere. Your phone becomes your wallet.

The Big Launch Event

The official start of Google Pay in Bangladesh happened today, June 24th, 2025. It was held at The Westin Dhaka hotel in Gulshan. Many important leaders and guests attended. It was a significant moment for the country’s banking and technology sectors.

Key People at the Event:

Chief Guest: Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur. He is the governor of Bangladesh Bank. Bangladesh Bank is the central bank of the country. It controls all other banks and the country’s money system. His presence showed this launch has official support.
Tracey Ann Jacobson: She is the Chargé d’Affaires. This means she is the top person currently at the US Embassy in Dhaka. Her attendance showed support from the United States, where Google and the card companies are based.
Hossain Khaled: He is the vice chairman of City Bank. This means he is one of the highest leaders at the bank.
Mashrur Arefin: He is the Managing Director and CEO of City Bank. The CEO is the top boss who runs the bank day-to-day. He spoke at the event.
Shammi Quddus: She is the Group Product Manager for Google Payments. She works for Google and helps manage products like Google Pay.
Syed Mohammad Kamal: He is the country manager for Mastercard in Bangladesh. He leads Mastercard’s work here.
Sabbir Ahmed: He is the country manager for Visa in Bangladesh. He leads Visa’s operations in the country.
Other Officials: Many other senior managers from the banks and companies were also present.

What the Leaders Said:

The leaders shared their thoughts on why Google Pay coming to Bangladesh is important.

Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur (Governor, Bangladesh Bank):

He welcomed Google Pay to Bangladesh. He was happy about it.
He talked about investment. He said Bangladesh is becoming a reliable place for both local and foreign investors. He disagreed with people who fear foreign companies will just take money away. He called this fear a “misconception.”
He stressed learning new technology. He gave an example about the Chattogram Port. He said if foreign companies manage the port for 10-20 years, Bangladeshis can learn those skills. Then, in the future, Bangladeshis could manage such ports themselves. They might even manage ports in other countries. But he said we cannot expect to learn everything instantly with only our own technology right now.
He talked about financial inclusion. This means making sure every single person in Bangladesh can use banking and financial services. He said Bangladesh Bank is working hard on this. They want every citizen connected to the banking system. They are pushing banks to use more digital tools to make this happen.

Mashrur Arefin (Managing Director & CEO, City Bank):

He focused on the partnership with Google, Mastercard, and Visa. He said it shows City Bank’s strong commitment.
What are they committed to? Building a “future-focused digital payment ecosystem” in Bangladesh. “Ecosystem” here means the whole environment for digital payments—the apps, the banks, the shops, the technology, and the rules.
He said City Bank is proud to offer this new service to their customers. He called it “innovative.”

Why Is Google Pay Launching in Bangladesh a Big Deal?

This launch is much more than just a new way to pay. It has big meanings for the country:

Moving Towards a Cashless Society: Bangladesh, like many countries, uses a lot of cash. Carrying cash can be risky. It can be lost or stolen. Counting cash takes time. Digital payments like Google Pay are faster and safer. This launch is a big push to reduce cash use. It helps build a “digital economy.”
Modernizing Payments: Tapping a phone is very modern. It uses the latest NFC technology. It brings Bangladesh’s payment systems up to date with many other countries. It makes paying feel smooth and easy.
Convenience for People: Imagine not needing to carry a wallet full of cards and cash. Just take your phone. You can pay at shops, restaurants, and maybe even on buses or trains in the future. Traveling abroad? If the shop accepts contactless Visa/Mastercard payments, your Google Pay should work there too (subject to foreign transaction fees from your bank). This is very convenient.
Increased Security: As explained earlier, Google Pay has strong security features. It can be safer than swiping a magnetic stripe card, which can be copied (skimmed).
Boosting Digital Transactions: Every time someone uses Google Pay, it’s a digital transaction. More digital transactions mean:
- Better Records: Easier for people and businesses to track their money.
- Formal Economy: More money moves through official banking channels. This can help reduce the “shadow economy,” where transactions are hidden.
- Data for Banks: Banks get better data on spending habits. This can help them offer better services or loans.
Financial Inclusion: Governor Mansur talked about this. Google Pay is a tool that can help with inclusion. How? If people have a bank account (like a City Bank account) and a basic Android phone, they can access modern digital payments. They don’t need the latest expensive phone. This brings more people into the formal financial system. However, it still requires having a bank account first.
Attracting Investment & Showing Progress: Governor Mansur linked this launch to Bangladesh being attractive to investors. When big global companies like Google, Mastercard, and Visa invest in Bangladesh, it sends a signal. It tells the world that Bangladesh has a growing market. It shows the country is open to new technology and business. This can encourage other foreign companies to invest here too. It shows progress in the country’s digital journey.
Setting the Stage for More: This is just the beginning. First, only City Bank customers can use it. But if it is successful, other banks will surely follow. We could see more banks partnering with Google Pay soon. This launch paves the way for more digital financial services in the future.

How Will People Use Google Pay? (Examples)

Let’s imagine some everyday situations:

Buying Groceries: Rahim goes to his local supermarket. At the checkout, he sees the NFC symbol on the payment machine. He takes out his Android phone. He unlocks it with his fingerprint. He taps the back of his phone gently on the machine. A second later, a beep sounds. His phone shows a checkmark. The payment is done. He gets a notification: “Paid Tk 850.00 to FreshMart with City Visa Card via Google Pay.” He doesn’t fumble for cash or his card.
Paying for a Rickshaw/Cab: Some modern rickshaws or ride-sharing apps might start using mobile POS machines. Fatima finishes her ride. The driver shows a small device. Fatima taps her phone. The fare is paid instantly. No need for small change.
Eating at a Restaurant: After a family dinner, Arif asks for the bill. The waiter brings a portable payment terminal. Arif taps his phone. The payment is settled quickly. He doesn’t hand over his card, so there’s less risk of it being copied.
Shopping for Clothes: Sarah finds a nice dress at a store in a mall. At the counter, she taps her phone. Done. Simple and fast.
Traveling Abroad: Imran is on holiday in Thailand. He goes to a cafe that accepts contactless Visa payments. He taps his phone with his Bangladeshi City Bank Visa card linked in Google Pay. The payment goes through in Thai Baht. The amount is converted from his taka account automatically (minus any bank fees).

What Do You Need to Start?

A City Bank Account: You must be a customer of City Bank.
A City Bank Debit or Credit Card: This card must be either a Visa or a Mastercard. It should also have the contactless feature enabled (most modern cards do). Check with the bank if unsure.
An NFC-enabled Android smartphone: Your phone must support NFC. Most Android phones from the last 5-6 years do. You can usually check in the phone’s settings under “Connected devices” or “Network & internet.” Look for “NFC” or “Contactless payments.”
Google Wallet App: Download and install the Google Wallet app from the Google Play Store.
Internet Connection (for Setup): You need mobile data or Wi-Fi to download the app and add your card initially. For making payments, you usually do not need an internet connection at that exact moment. The phone stores the secure payment information.

The Future Looks Digital

The launch of Google Pay in Bangladesh on June 24th, 2025, is a landmark event. It marks a big step in the country’s digital transformation journey. It brings modern, convenient, and secure payments to City Bank customers. It shows Bangladesh is embracing global financial technology.

The presence of top officials like the Central Bank Governor and the US Embassy representative highlights its national importance. The focus on financial inclusion and attracting investment shows this is about more than just payments. It’s about building a stronger, Google Pay Bangladesh modern economy for all Bangladeshis.

While it starts with one bank, the door is now open. Expect other banks to join soon. Expect more shops to get NFC payment terminals. Expect people to get used to the idea of tapping their phones instead of pulling out cash or cards. This is the future of money in Bangladesh, and it arrived today.

Google Pay Launches in Bangladesh 2025 | Digital Payment Revolution Begins