Bangladesh Launches Bold National Plan to Empower Young Entrepreneurs by 2026

A new initiative aims to boost youth entrepreneurship in Bangladesh by 2025. The Ministry of Youth and Sports has partnered with Plan International Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to create a National Action Plan. The agreement was signed in Dhaka on 15 January 2026, marking the start of a long-term strategy to support young entrepreneurs across the country.

The tripartite agreement sets the stage for developing a detailed action plan by June 2026. Sheikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain, joint secretary of the Ministry's Youth Division, signed the document alongside Kabita Bose, country director of Plan International Bangladesh, and Sarder M Asaduzzaman, assistant resident representative of UNDP. The ceremony was led by Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The National Action Plan will serve as the backbone for implementing the Youth Entrepreneurship Policy 2025. Its key focus is improving coordination between government ministries, private businesses, and development partners. Special attention will be given to marginalised groups, including youth from rural regions and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

While the plan is still in its early stages, officials have stressed its potential to create economic opportunities for disadvantaged communities. However, no specific measures for rural entrepreneurship have yet been introduced, as the draft remains under development.

The signed agreement outlines a roadmap for youth economic participation, with a final draft expected within 18 months. The plan's success will depend on collaboration between public, private, and international stakeholders. If implemented as intended, it could open new pathways for young entrepreneurs in some of Bangladesh's most underserved areas.