The NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) under the Chief Advisor’s Office has taken a major step toward digital transformation by signing two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Bangladesh Data Center Company Limited (BDCCL) and Sonali Bank PLC. The signing ceremony, held on 08 September at the NGOAB Meeting Room in Agargaon, Dhaka, was facilitated by UNDP Bangladesh, through its ISPAT project, supported by the Government of Australia.

Through this collaboration, BDCCL will provide secure hosting services and ensure robust data governance for NGOAB’s newly developed digital system. Sonali Bank PLC, through its digital platform SonaliPay, will enable seamless, paperless online payments for NGOs. This integration will allow NGOs to complete transactions in real time for services such as registration, renewal, and project approvals directly through the platform.

The MoU between NGOAB and Sonali Bank PLC was signed by Md. Daud Miah ndc, Director General (Additional Secretary), NGO Affairs Bureau, Chief Advisor’s Office, and Md. Shawkat Ali Khan, Managing Director & CEO, Sonali Bank PLC. The MoU with BDCCL was signed by Md. Anwar Hossain, Director, NGO Affairs Bureau, Chief Advisor’s Office, and Md. Tawfiq Al Mahmud, Managing Director (Joint Secretary), BDCCL.

Speaking at the event, Md. Daud Miah ndc described the initiative as “a turning point in NGOAB’s service delivery, ensuring faster, more transparent, and efficient interactions between NGOs and the Bureau.” Representatives from BDCCL and Sonali Bank PLC reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the Government of Bangladesh’s digitalisation drive by strengthening the security, efficiency, and reliability of NGOAB’s online services.

The Australian High Commission and UNDP Bangladesh welcomed the initiative, noting that it is part of the ISPAT project, which supports institutional capacity building, promotes transparency, and improves service delivery across key government bodies. Through this project, Australia and UNDP are helping the NGO Affairs Bureau advance digital solutions that make governance more efficient, accountable, and citizen-centric.

This partnership reflects the Government of Bangladesh’s broader vision to promote institutional collaboration and accelerate digital transformation. By modernizing NGO services, the initiative contributes to building a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive system aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).