Grameenphone Launches Bangla QR Payments

Grameenphone has become the first telecom operator in Bangladesh to introduce Bangla QR payments at its branded retail stores. Launched in partnership with Mutual Trust Bank PLC (MTB), the service allows customers to scan a QR code using an app from a participating bank, mobile financial service provider or payment service provider and pay directly from their accounts. The initiative is expected to reduce dependence on cash and make everyday transactions more convenient.

The service was formally launched on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, at Grameenphone's Experience Centre in Gulshan, Dhaka. It will initially be available at the company's Experience Centres in Gulshan and Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka, and at GEC Mor in Chattogram.

Customers can scan the Bangla QR code displayed at the Experience Centres using a compatible app and authorise payment directly from their accounts. The shared national QR standard allows customers to make payments across participating institutions through a single merchant code. This reduces reliance on cash while giving customers greater flexibility in choosing how to pay.

The initiative builds on Bangladesh Bank's efforts to promote an interoperable digital payment ecosystem through Bangla QR under the vision of “One Country, One QR”.

Dr Md Habibur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank, attended the launch as the chief guest. Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of MTB, and Yasir Azman, Chief Executive Officer of Grameenphone, were also present.

Other Grameenphone officials at the event included Farha Naz Zaman, Chief Marketing Officer; Otto Magne Risbakk, Chief Financial Officer; and Tanveer Mohammad, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. Representing MTB were Chowdhury Akhtar Asif, Additional Managing Director and Chief Business Officer; Md Shafquat Hossain, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Retail Banking; and Khalid Hossain, Chief Digital Officer. Other senior officials from both organisations were also present.

Dr Md Habibur Rahman said, “Connectivity and technological innovation are key enablers of economic growth and financial inclusion. I appreciate Grameenphone’s participation in building a more integrated and efficient digital payment ecosystem in the country and am pleased to be here for this initiative. I look forward to other industry ecosystem players joining this effort to make financial services more accessible, encourage digital payment adoption among young people and advance an inclusive, increasingly cashless economy.”

Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone, said, “At Grameenphone, customer-centricity drives us to make everyday experiences simpler and more convenient. We believe collaboration accelerates the innovation needed to deliver on that commitment, and our partnership with MTB brings this to life through Bangla QR. Customers can now simply scan and pay from their phones, without the hassle of cash or waiting for change—making digital payments a practical everyday choice to help broaden financial inclusion and enable more people to participate in Bangladesh’s digital economy. Through such efforts, we aim to support the country’s trillion-dollar economy vision while building a safer, smarter tomorrow for our customers.”

Syed Mahbubur Rahman, Managing Director and CEO of MTB, said, “We are excited to partner with Grameenphone to bring the simplicity of scan-to-pay to more customers. Combining our payment expertise with Grameenphone’s retail reach, we are making everyday transactions more convenient and supporting wider adoption of digital payments across Bangladesh.”

Bangladesh Bank has set a target of one crore digital transactions a day. By introducing Bangla QR payments into everyday customer transactions, Grameenphone aims to contribute to this national goal. The company said it intends to encourage wider adoption of digital payments through its extensive customer reach and strengthen the foundations of an inclusive digital economy.

//DBTech/MRIP/SMP/MIST//