Two Decades of ICT in Public Services: Where Does Bangladesh Stand?

When we talk about the role of information and communication technology (ICT) in modern governance and digital transformation, a natural question arises: can we compare ourselves to developed nations? While some may consider such comparisons unrealistic, a closer look at ground realities can provide a more nuanced understanding. The question of whether such comparisons are valid can be better addressed by analyzing specific examples, particularly by examining the similarities and differences between the e-governance initiatives of countries like Estonia and Singapore, and those of Bangladesh.

Estonia, a small European nation, was relatively underdeveloped after gaining independence in the 1990s. But in 1997, it began its journey toward becoming a technology-driven society by launching online government services. By treating internet access as a citizen’s right, Estonia ensured internet connectivity in all educational institutions by 2002. This step not only expanded internet use but also laid the groundwork for the digital transformation of public services. Within a decade, by 2012, approximately 90% of government services had moved online. This significantly reduced bureaucratic delays and made public services easily accessible to citizens.

One of the most impressive innovations was the introduction of X-Road, an open-source platform that enables secure data exchange between public and private institutions. Through this system, citizens can access services like digital identity, tax filing, and banking securely. Remarkably, Estonia became the first country to use blockchain technology in a live government environment in 2012, setting a global example of transparency and data security. Later, Estonia launched the concepts of ‘Data Embassies’ and ‘e-Residency’, allowing anyone in the world to become a digital citizen.

Singapore's experience is another benchmark worth noting. After gaining independence in 1965 amidst economic instability, the country launched a modernization initiative in the 1980s, with technology as a strategic pillar. By the mid-1990s, the government developed a nationwide broadband infrastructure known as Singapore ONE. Although various government websites had been launched, they initially lacked integration. This was addressed in 1999 with the launch of the One-Stop eCitizen platform, consolidating all government services into a single interface for citizens.

Beyond infrastructure, the Singaporean government invested heavily in building digital literacy. To prevent marginalized communities from falling behind, second-hand PCs were distributed with support from private companies. Regular training and internal innovation workshops were conducted to upskill government employees and enhance their ability to provide digital services.

From these two examples, it becomes evident that with a strategic and sustained effort, any country can transform its ICT infrastructure and governance. So where does Bangladesh stand in comparison?

The Government of Bangladesh has initiated the MyGov platform, aiming to centralize all public services under one umbrella, echoing the concepts behind Estonia's X-Road and Singapore's eCitizen. With the introduction of telemedicine and online health services, Bangladesh is gradually moving towards the next phase, such as implementing e-health cards. Government departments are increasingly embracing a tech-driven culture and are taking proactive steps to improve service delivery.

However, one must not underestimate the contextual challenges Bangladesh faces. Estonia has a population of just 1.4 million, with a population density of 40 people per square kilometer. In contrast, Bangladesh’s population density exceeds 3,500 per square kilometer, about 75 times higher. Similarly, Singapore, with a population of 6 million, is a compact island nation, making nationwide infrastructure development more manageable. Bangladesh, being over three times larger in area and significantly more populous, naturally faces a more complex and time-intensive path to transformation.

Despite these hurdles, Bangladesh has made considerable progress in the last two decades in building a structured e-governance system. Under the "Digital Bangladesh" initiative, public digital literacy has improved significantly. Today, internet-based public services are accessible in 90% of rural areas. One major achievement was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when nearly 130 million people were successfully vaccinated through identity verification systems, a testament to the country’s evolving digital capability.

Yet, there is no room for complacency. In the world of technology, stagnation means falling behind. The future will demand a greater focus on innovation, the development of skilled human resources, and optimal integration of technology into administrative processes. While comparisons with developed countries can be insightful, they should not be blind imitations. Rather, we must learn from their experiences and adapt them to our own realities.

So, the core issue is not whether comparisons are valid or not, but how meaningful and constructive they are. Comparisons are most useful when they serve not as mere benchmarks to follow, but as tools for self-reflection and capability assessment. If Bangladesh continues its e-governance journey with this mindset, such comparisons will not only be relevant, they will also guide the way forward.

To navigate that path successfully, Bangladesh must ensure continuity, political commitment, skilled human capital, and, above all, active citizen participation. In this era of technology, e-governance is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity. And progressing along this path is not just desirable; it is imperative.

Therefore, instead of seeing Estonia and Singapore as unattainable models, we should view their journeys as sources of inspiration and guidance. Only then can our own efforts become truly meaningful and transformative.