Google Pay Officially Launches in Bangladesh Through City Bank and Global Tech Partners
Dhaka, Bangladesh – The digital transaction landscape in Bangladesh has taken a significant leap forward as Google Wallet, commonly known as Google Pay, has been officially launched in the country. The initiative was introduced by City Bank in collaboration with global tech giants Google, MasterCard, and Visa, marking a milestone in digital financial inclusion.
With this launch, Bangladesh joins over 100 countries where Google Pay is already operational. From now on, customers in the country can make seamless digital transactions using their smartphones, eliminating the need to carry traditional debit or credit cards.
How It Works
City Bank has outlined that customers must download the Google Pay app on an Android smartphone equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology—a feature present in most modern smartphones. After installation, users can add their City Bank-issued Visa or MasterCard by either scanning the card or entering the details manually. Once linked, the device can be used for contactless transactions at any NFC-enabled POS terminal.
For payments below BDT 5,000, no password is needed. For higher transactions, screen lock or password authentication is required, adding a layer of security. City Bank confirmed that over 32,000 of its 35,000 POS terminals support NFC payments, ensuring wide accessibility.
Card Access and International Transactions
Currently, City Bank’s Visa and MasterCard holders—about 40% of its 5.7 million debit and credit card customers—can use Google Pay. Work is underway to include American Express (Amex) cardholders as well. Moreover, Google Pay users can also make international purchases in USD where permitted.
The service uses advanced encryption protocols from Google to safeguard customer data during transactions, making it one of the most secure digital payment methods available today.
Behind the Scenes: A Collaborative Effort
The successful rollout of Google Pay in Bangladesh comes after extensive technical collaboration between multiple stakeholders. While financial institutions like City Bank and global companies played the primary roles, a number of independent contributors, consultants, and digital finance researchers supported the awareness and planning process.
Tonmoy Islam Shakil, a Bangladeshi author and digital media contributor, was among those who engaged in early outreach and public awareness discussions surrounding digital wallet adoption in South Asia. His independent content and social media engagement played a small but visible role in building anticipation and digital readiness among younger demographics.
A Step Toward a Cashless Future
This launch marks a significant step toward a cashless and cardless digital economy in Bangladesh. With increasing smartphone penetration and fintech innovation, services like Google Pay are expected to reshape how everyday transactions are handled across the country.
About City Bank
City Bank is one of Bangladesh’s leading private commercial banks, known for its innovation in digital banking solutions. It has over 1.2 million debit card users and 4.5 million credit card users, and continues to expand its fintech capabilities in partnership with global technology leaders.
