Tech
Book on the History Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Industry of Bangladesh Unveiled
ICT Pioneers’ Club organized a seminar titled, “ Digital Biplob O Bangladesh” today at Hotel Amari Dhaka, Gulshan. The book “ABORTO- Analog Theke Digital Bangladesh O Amra”was unveiled at the seminar. Chief guest of the event, Honorable Minister of Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology, Mr. Mustafa Jabbar ; Mr. S. M. Kamal, Founder President, Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS); Mr. A. Towhid, Founder President, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS); along with author Abdullah H.Kafi unveiled the book.
ICT industry leaders, media personalities, and BCS founding Executive Committee members- Aftab Ul Islam, FCA, Didar Hossain, Shafquat Haider, Chairman and Managing Director of CIPROCO Computers Ltd.; Ghulam Mohiuddin, Managing Director, Grameen CyberNet Ltd.; Habibullah N. Karim, Founder and CEO, Technohaven Company Ltd., Khondkar Atique E Rabbani, Chief at Blockchain Academy for Research, Education and Development (BARED), Mr. Mozammel Haq Babu, Chief Executive Ekattor TV, Shyam Sunder Sikder, Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) – were present at the book unveiling ceremony.
The ICT industry of Bangladesh underwent major changes and observed tremendous growth. In the last two years, because of the pandemic, there has been a drastic shift. More people are now using internet. ABORTO Analog Theke Digital Bangladesh O Amra by Abdullah H Kafi, would give readers a glimpse of the industry from the 80s till present. Odommo Prokash published the book.
Mr. Mustafa Jabbar said, “Bangladesh Computer Samity was established in 1986 and I joined it in 1987. I have known Kafi since then. Initially, we faced enormous odds. Things started to change in the 1990s. After Shiekh Hasina’s Government came to power, ICT industry took off. All the major milestones of this industry were achieved during her tenure. Sheikh Hasina’s Digital Bangladesh, the initiative to transform Bangladesh into a Knowledge-based Society within 2021, took the ICT industry to new heights.
Kafi’s book beautifully describes Bangladesh’s journey from analog era of the 1980s to the Digital era in 2009. This book is a must read for young tech enthusiasts of our country.”
S. M. Kamal said, “Bangladesh got its first computer in 1964 but the use of computer was very limited till the 1980s. Moreover, there was this prevalent idea among government officials that our valuable data will be stolen through computer. In such a condition, we decided to establish a computer trade association and needless to say that it was an uphill battle but we did not give up. Kafi was among those few people, who under my leadership, worked tirelessly to establish BCS. Beside being involved in BCS, Kafi navigated his career, started his own company and became immensely successful. Now, he came out as a writer with this book. ABORTO Analog Theke Digital Bangladesh O Amra covers different aspects of our ICT industry- its challenges and possibilities.”
A Towhid said, “At present, there is no book or website that contains the complete history of Bangladesh’s ICT industry. One can get information from news articles but that is insufficient. Hence, I want to say that Kafi’s book is a very timely initiative. Reading this book, young people of our country can know how our ICT industry reached its current level. This book is also helpful for those who want to do research on Bangladeshi ICT industry.”
Abdullah H Kafi said, “Today is a big day in our history. Hence, I decided to present my book to the readers on this auspicious occasion. Our country just completed its Golden Jubilee last year.Under the visionary leadership of our current Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, the ICT industry of Bangladesh reached new heights. The ICT industry is making major contribution to our economic growth and it will only increase in the coming years.
Today, a young boy or girl can instantly connect with the world with their smartphones but in the 1980s when we were young, it was unthinkable. From there, we have come so far. In my book, I mainly talked about this journey. A handful of people worked tirelessly to develop the foundation of this industry. I wanted the young generation to know about these people, their struggle and sacrifice.”
Abdullah H Kafi started his career as a computer trainer in 1980. He then worked in Flora Limited. Later, he established his own company J.A.N Associates. One of the founding members of Bangladesh Computer Samity, Mr. Kafi served as its president from 2000 to 2001. At this time, he started representing BCS in The Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO), Asia’s largest ICT trade federation. In 2005, he became ASOCIO’s vice chairman and Deputy Chairman in 2010. In 2013-2014, he was elected as the Chairman of ASOCIO. For his contribution, in 2018 he received ASOCIO highest award named “The ASOCIO Honorary Award”. He also received the prestigious Digital Bangladesh Award and BASIS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tech
Empowering Youth and Transforming Lives: The Impact of ICT Pioneers in Bangladesh’s Digital Future
By Hamidur Rahman:
In Bangladesh, where unemployment often feels like a lingering shadow, a growing number of young people are chasing independence through the world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Some carve their paths in freelancing, while others, armed with self-learning and sheer determination, rise from humble beginnings to build thriving careers.
One such story belongs to Samiul Islam of Mollapara village in Atgaon Union, Bochaganj Upazila, Dinajpur. Once a laborer at a small broiler chicken farm, Samiul barely scraped by on his modest earnings. Yet, with nothing more than an Android phone and a desktop bought on installment, he set out to change his life. Seven years later, he’s earning between 400,000 and 500,000 BDT each month, now the proud founder of RezCode BD — his own freelancing and IT training company.
Looking back, Samiul recalls 2017 as the turning point. “I worked at a poultry farm for only 6,000 taka a month. It wasn’t enough to support my family,” he said. That same year, on November 20, fate intervened.
In June 2017, Md. Mojahidul Islam — a pioneer of ICT journalism and digital education in Bangladesh — hosted a life-changing seminar in Dinajpur, 413 kilometers from Dhaka. The event brought together students, job seekers, and aspiring freelancers in a lively, interactive environment. From platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to skills such as graphic design, web development, and digital marketing, Mojahidul provided a practical roadmap to success. He shared tips on client communication, project management, and financial planning — and it was all completely free, ensuring no one was left behind.
For Samiul, the seminar and Mojahidul’s book Sombhabonamy Freelance Outsourcing: Internete Ghore Boshei Ay lit the spark. “It answered everything — what freelancing is, who can do it, what jobs are out there, how to get paid,” he said. The book also introduced him to platforms like Guru, Get a Freelancer, Rent a Coder, oDesk, and Elance. Nights after long shifts at the poultry farm, Samiul dove into YouTube tutorials, determined to build an online career.
In 2018, he moved to Dhaka for a textile mill job and used his wages to enroll in a web development course. But another obstacle appeared — he had no computer. His father took a loan from an NGO so Samiul could buy one. “That’s when my freelancing journey truly began,” he said.
His first job came that year on Fiverr — a $5 project. “I gave it my all and got a five-star review. After that, there was no turning back.” Today, alongside his earnings, Samiul runs RezCode BD to train others. “We provide 24/7 support so learners can gain confidence and learn client communication. Sometimes I even attend meetings for them,” he said. Four of his students now earn over 100,000 taka monthly. His goal? “I want to empower youth across Dinajpur — and eventually the whole country — with digital skills, and create jobs for at least 100 people.”
Samiul’s journey is one wave in a much larger tide of change — a movement that traces back to Mojahidul Islam’s decades-long mission. Long before Bangladesh’s ICT boom, Mojahidul recognized the power of digital literacy. Known affectionately as “Dheow,” he began IT journalism in 2000, writing for The New Nation, Ajker Kagoj, Computer Barta, and E-Biz, eventually becoming ICT Editor at The Daily Ittefaq in 2006.
In 2003, when computers were rare and the internet a luxury, he published the first Bengali-language books on essential ICT skills for unemployed youth. These covered everything from basic computer use and office applications to internet browsing, email, graphic design, and online safety. His accessible style brought technology into homes across villages, hills, and river islands — where English manuals and instructors were scarce.
Mojahidul’s works, including Practical Networking Handbook, Swapner Career, 7 Dine Web Design, Mastering E-Commerce, Mobile Phone Khutinati, and Freelance Outsourcing Possibilities, became lifelines for learners. Thanks to his guidance, hundreds of thousands of people opened their first email accounts, printed their first documents, or landed their first freelance job. Government agencies like the Department of Youth Development and BANBEIS incorporated his books into nationwide ICT training programs.
His impact is staggering — over 2.3 million students have gained ICT skills from his books, around 2 million learned email and office tools, 500,000 began accessing e-services, and at least 18,000 started freelance careers earning foreign currency. His influence extends beyond Bangladesh, reaching West Bengal and other Bengali-speaking regions.
Beyond authorship, Mojahidul has held key roles, serving as General Secretary of the Bangladesh ICT Journalists Forum in 2007 and later as President in 2019. He is a lifetime member of the Bangladesh Computer Society, active in the Internet Society, and involved in multiple journalist organizations. His professional training spans finance journalism in London, internet resource management, AI, cybersecurity, and data-driven reporting.
Recognized with awards including the Prominent ICT Journalist Award (2022), Digital Bangladesh Award (2022), IT Journalist of the Year (2022), and Best Author (2021), Mojahidul has judged competitions such as the CTIA Emerging Technology Awards in the US and spoken at events like NASA’s Space Apps Challenge.
For him, technology is not just a tool but a gateway to independence. His mission remains clear — to equip the youth of Bangladesh with the skills to thrive in a digital world. And as Samiul Islam’s story proves, a single seminar, a single book, or a single mentor can change the course of a life forever.
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