Agent Network Accelerator Survey: Bangladesh Country Report 2014

This paper presents the research findings of a study that focuses on operational determinants of success in agent network management in Bangladesh. The research is based on interviews of 2,490 nationally representative agents, which were carried out between March and April 2014. The paper states that Bangladesh has created many unique systems for agent network management which are yielding world class results especially with regards to liquidity management. However, transaction volumes and profits are low compared to East Africa and support structures are still developing. Key findings of the study include:

• Transaction volumes are very low in Bangladesh when compared to East Africa, but very low operational costs keep majority of agents profitable;
• 57% of agents are one year old or less and 86% of agents indicate that they foresee themselves continuing as agents in an year, indicating high levels of satisfaction;
• Most agents have rebalancing done for them at their outlets, and report rarely having to deny a transaction for lack of it;
• Almost all agents are non-dedicated, and while bKash is the dominant provider, other providers seem to be quickly building their networks on top of bKash’s, meaning the majority of events are now non-exclusive.