The digital economy serves as the core engine driving the development of new-type productive forces. As a pivotal platform for the Central China Rise strategy, the Yangtze River Mid-Reach Urban Agglomeration’s digital-real economy integration outcomes critically shape regional high-quality development. Using 308 panel data from cities within this agglomeration, this study systematically examines the impact and mechanisms of digital economy on new-type productive forces through fixed-effects models, mediation analysis, and spatial error models. Core variables are measured using entropy values, with industrial upgrading and rationalization serving as mediating variables. Control variables including population size and total factor productivity are incorporated, with conclusions validated through triple robustness tests. Addressing regional development bottlenecks, the study proposes optimization pathways across four dimensions—technological innovation, factor allocation, industrial integration, and institutional coordination—providing empirical support and policy recommendations for empowering new-type productive forces through digital economy development in urban agglomerations.