Shahid Akbar is a dedicated professional with a focus on fostering the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in development projects, particularly in developing countries. His expertise lies in mainstreaming ICT for Development (ICT4D) initiatives. Mr. Akbar has successfully led various e-Agriculture projects, entrepreneurship programs, and initiatives promoting nutrition among youth, women, and micro & small businesses.

One of Mr. Akbar's notable accomplishments includes launching e-Krishok, a prominent ICT service brand in the agriculture sector aimed at benefiting farmers and agro-businesses. Additionally, he founded the Nutrition Club, a new venture designed to engage youth in nutrition and contribute to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1, 2, and 3. At BIID (Bangladesh Institute of ICT in Development), innovation is at the core of developing sustainable ICT4D services. Mr. Akbar is actively involved in new ventures such as the Nutrition Club and B-Lab, which aim to combat malnutrition and youth unemployment in rural areas.

Born in Chittagong, Bangladesh, on August 4, 1970, Shahid Akbar completed his Masters in Finance & Banking from the University of Dhaka. He has a strong background in the financial sector, with 8 years of experience working in SMEs and agriculture credit. His career highlights include serving as an ICT Consultant at SwissContact/Katalyst, where he played a pivotal role in introducing Rural ICT Markets in Bangladesh through private sector leadership.

In 2008, Mr. Akbar established BIID to promote entrepreneurship-driven ICT4D initiatives. His work has extended globally, with projects in Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, and Myanmar. Noteworthy contributions include his involvement in various international ICT4D initiatives, such as the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and collaboration with UN APCICT for the WIFI Program. Mr. Akbar's influence also extends to academia, where he serves on the Editorial Panel of the ICT4D Working Paper Series and contributed to the development of the eAgriculture Strategy by ITU and FAO.

Currently, Shahid Akbar holds the position of Chairman at the Asia Pacific Telecentre Network (APTN), a regional network focused on promoting telecentre and ICT4D across 8 member countries. He has a rich history of leadership roles, having served as the National President of JCI Bangladesh in 2010-2011 and as a member of Rotary International District 3281.