The digital Nepal framework (2019

The Digital Nepal Framework (2019) is a national roadmap prepared by Nepal’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology to guide the country’s digital transformation. It is structured as the 1–8–80 model: one country, eight priority sectors, and 80 digital initiatives.

purpose and vision

The framework is designed to accelerate socioeconomic growth by leveraging digital technologies. Its stated mission is to transform government, society, and the economy through digital tools, strengthen the foundation for a knowledge-based society, and align national efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Structure of the framework

The eight sectors covered are:

• Digital foundation (infrastructure, broadband, cybersecurity, e-governance)
• Agriculture (precision farming, digital marketplaces, land record digitisation)
• Health (telemedicine, electronic health records, mobile health units)
• Education (online learning platforms, smart classrooms, biometric systems)
• Energy (smart grids, digital metering, automation in utilities)
• Tourism (digital visas, augmented reality tours, tourist safety systems)
• Finance (national payment gateway, digital wallets, e-commerce promotion)
• Urban infrastructure (smart transport, intelligent traffic management, disaster management systems).

Enabling environment

The framework highlights the need for:

• Technology and infrastructure: expanding nationwide fibre networks, 5G adoption, and making the internet a fundamental right.
• Entrepreneurship and PPPs: streamlined public-private partnership systems, startup accelerators, and incentives for investment.
• Talent and skills: compulsory IT education, digital literacy programs in rural areas, and training public servants in ICT skills.
• Financial ecosystem: promotion of digital payments, fintech development, and wider financial inclusion.

Expected impact

Full implementation is projected to generate NPR 800 billion (about USD 8 billion) in value by 2022. This would come from improved efficiency in governance and services, cost savings in healthcare and education, growth of e-commerce and ICT-enabled industries, and job creation across telecom, IT-BPO, logistics, and fintech sectors,

Governance and monitoring

The framework also calls for:

• a strong governance and monitoring & evaluation system,
• review of policy and regulatory frameworks (covering intellectual property rights, data protection, broadband regulation, and digital payments),
• promotion of digital inclusion, especially in rural and underserved areas, and
• attention to emerging technologies (AI, IoT, robotics) and new business models