AKIJ Resource has announced plans to launch Bangladesh鈥檚 first Shariah-based digital bank, aiming to fill the void in Islamic banking created after Bangladesh Bank鈥檚 move to merge five struggling Islamic banks.
Managing director Sheikh Jasim Uddin made the announcement at a press conference at AKIJ House in Dhaka on Thursday, saying the company will soon apply for a digital banking licence after meeting all regulatory requirements.
Applications must be submitted to Bangladesh Bank within November 2, 2025.
He said the initiative reflects AKIJ鈥檚 vision to combine financial inclusion with ethical and technology-driven innovation.
鈥極ur goal is to build a secure and user-friendly digital banking experience that reaches every corner of Bangladesh, especially underserved communities,鈥� he said.
Munafa Digital Bank would be the name of the digital bank
The proposed Islamic Digital Bank will offer fully interest-free, Shariah-compliant financial services through a completely digital platform.
It will also prioritize transparency, fairness, and social responsibility 鈥� values that AKIJ says are central to its business philosophy.
Company officials said the platform will enhance access to finance for small and medium enterprises, rural clients, and urban professionals, enabling inclusive growth in the digital economy.
The initiative aligns with the government鈥檚 broader goal of expanding digital financial inclusion and reducing reliance on traditional, paper-based systems.
Akij Resources was formed with four companies inherited from the Akij Group, employing 3,000 people. At that time, its value was Tk 2,200 crore.
The company has now expanded to 40 entities, employing approximately 10,000 people. The combined value of these companies is nearly Tk 12,200 crore, officials said.
Senior executives including Towfique Hasan, Chief Business Development Officer; Md. Firoz Kabir, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer and Mohammed Afsar Uddin, Chief People Officer, were also present.
