World Bank Helps Bangladesh Strengthen Public Institutions to Improve Transparency and Accountability

OVERVIEW

• Project Name: Strengthening Institutions for Transparency and Accountability (SITA) Project
• World Bank Financing Amount: $250 million
• Approval Date: June 12, 2025

CONTEXT

Accelerating Bangladesh's economic growth-fast enough to meet ambitious development targets and create jobs-requires stronger public institutions, greater transparency, and better data to inform decision-making. While the country has made some progress, gaps in public financial management, data systems, procurement, and revenue mobilization continue to constrain efficiency and limit the country's growth potential.

In response, the Strengthening Institutions for Transparency and Accountability (SITA) project will support the government in modernizing core public sector institutions-focusing on these critical areas-through digital transformation, improved systems, and enhanced institutional capacity.

OBJECTIVES

The project aims to strengthen governance and public sector performance by modernizing five key institutions and improving service delivery across the public sector. It will support:

• the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics to develop an integrated national data ecosystem and improve the production and use of high-quality data for evidence-based policymaking
• the National Board of Revenue to modernize tax administration through automation, e-invoicing, and integrated digital systems to increase compliance and domestic revenue mobilization
• the Planning Division to strengthen public investment management systems through digital platforms, AI-enabled analytics, and real-time monitoring tools
• the Bangladesh Public Procurement Authority to enhance electronic government procurement system with advanced digital features to improve efficiency, transparency, and value for money; and,
• the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General to digitize audit processes and strengthen financial oversight and accountability. As when audit findings are timely, remediation is possible, the project aims to reduce audit reporting time from 72 months to 9.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Strong institutional capacity is foundational to sustaining growth and creating jobs. By strengthening the systems that underpin sound decision-making, transparency, and accountability, the project will help build the trusted and effective public institutions needed to support long-term, inclusive economic development.

It takes a comprehensive approach to strengthening five key public sector institutions for improving data production, domestic revenue mobilization, public investment management, procurement, and audit. It will support investments in digital systems, institutional reforms, and capacity building across five key government agencies to improve governance and public sector performance.

QUOTES

Zonayed Saki, Honorable State Minister of Finance and Planning:
"The Government is committed to strengthening public institutions and improving governance to better serve the people. By modernizing systems and enhancing transparency in procurement, data quality, domestic resource mobilization, public financial management, and project implementation, the project is expected to build a stronger foundation for effective service delivery. It is also expected to enhance public trust in government institutions and make them more accountable to the people."

Jean Pesme, World Bank Divisional Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan:
"Bangladesh's next phase of growth-and the jobs it must create-depends on strong, transparent institutions that people and investors can trust. The SITA project will help modernize core government systems while strengthening data quality, so decisions are better informed, results are tracked more effectively, and accountability is reinforced."

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

CONTACTS

In Dhaka: Mehrin Ahmed Mahbub, [email protected]

In Washington: Diana Chung, [email protected]

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