Navigating Nepal’s e-governance journey

As the world is increasingly moving towards automation, Nepal’s journey towards effective e-governance is still in progress. Despite significant achievements in digital public services, various challenges are still hindering the full realization of a seamless digital governance system in Nepal. 

Nepal is the first South Asian country to constitutionally recognize (1990) the right to information as a fundamental right. Nepal also promulgated the Right to Information Act, 2064 (2007). Moreover, Nepal further expanded upon this provision by providing in Article 27 as a fundamental citizen right in the Constitution of Nepal, 2015. The development of Modern ICT policy in the country began with the introduction of the Telecommunications Act of 2053 (1997) and the Telecommunication Regulation of 2054 (1997). However, the most significant policy addressing Information Technology was the Information Technology Policy 2057 (2000). 

To cover the entire spectrum of ICT, the Government of Nepal formulated the Information Communication Policy, 2072 (2015), a comprehensive policy that emphasized the need for a regulatory framework to address the convergence of telecommunications, broadcasting, and ICT. Before that, IT Policy 2010, e-governance Master plan eGMP 2007, eGMP-II 2015 and 10-year master plan 2011 complemented the digital governance framework of the country. In 2019, Nepal marked a shift in its governance landscape by launching the Digital Nepal Framework. This initiative aimed to transform public service delivery through digital means. Following this, the E-Governance Commission was introduced under the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministries with the introduction of the E-Governance Commission (Formation and Operation) Order, 2022, introduced to further promote electronic systems in government functions. 

Today, all the local governments have their own websites and social media pages to improve information dissemination among the citizens. Moreover, the digitization of vital registration processes and services such as Vehicle licensing and national identification has added another milestone to the digital journey of Nepal. These developments were majorly seen after the Covid-19 pandemic when the citizens and government were forced to turn to digital media. The change eventually led Nepal to improve its standing in the global e-governance Development Index, where it ranked 125th in 2022, up from 132nd in 2020. This highlights the progress in Nepal's digital transformation. 

Moreover, the challenges still persist in the case of infrastructure. Public authorities in Nepal still lack enough resources and logistics to effectively conduct those actions. A critical issue is the lack of adequately trained human resources within the public sector. As the bureaucrats, especially those from local governments, do not receive necessary exposure or training to effectively manage innovative digital systems. Due to lack of enough infrastructures and capacity building opportunities, the public sector struggles to keep pace with the technological advancements and implement efficient digital governance solutions.  

Digital divide in Nepal is more common than we think. Particularly in rural areas, where basic infrastructure for transportation, communication, internet access, and electricity is often lacking, the fruits of the automation haven't really reached the rural citizens. Moreover, there is widespread need for targeted infrastructure development and equitable resource distribution to ensure that all the citizens, despite their geographic location, get access to efficient public services. However, in urban areas, despite widespread smartphone usage and internet access, many Nepalese citizens, including tech savvy youths, still are not aware of available digital services provided by the government. This is largely due to insufficient public awareness campaigns and outreach efforts. 

Another important challenge is the cyber security challenge. In March, various government servers at the National Information Technology Centre (NITC) experienced data loss from different government agencies. It is the central data storage center where almost all the local levels and government agencies store their data. It was supposed to be the most secure center, which again grappled with such a challenge. Government servers are not secure enough, nor have they been maintained well. 

The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption, and the current approach to e-governance needs proper refinement. There is a pressing need for enhanced training and capacity building for bureaucrats to effectively manage digital systems. The Local government requires more support from the central and provincial authorities to become truly digital friendly and responsive to public needs. Cyber diplomacy has also come forward with the potential of gaining technical support from the international community. 

For Nepal to fully capitalize on its digital potential, local governments must be empowered to utilize digital tools effectively. As the closest government to citizens, it is important to ensure the local governments have enough tech-savvy bureaucrats and infrastructures. Increasing public awareness and bridging the digital divide should be top priorities. With the widespread smartphone usage, it is vital for the government to ensure that citizens are informed about the digital services at their disposal.  

To further advance e-governance in Nepal, collaboration with the private sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and development partners is equally crucial. As these entities possess specialized skills and technical expertise that can significantly support government agencies in their digital transformation efforts. As Nepal gradually automates its data and information systems, Public-Private partnerships can play an increasingly vital role in addressing public needs. 

Nepal’s IT sector is growing rapidly and holds substantial potential for bolstering IT security. The irony is many local IT companies are primarily focused on securing international clients, while Nepal continues to rely heavily on foreign outsourcing. By fostering better coordination with domestic IT firms, Nepal could enhance self-reliance and develop a robust local IT ecosystem. 

The Government of Nepal introduced the Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity Bill which was aimed at addressing digital signatures, cloud computing, cybercrime and major digitalization of public services, including the creation of websites for all government agencies, establishment of a national cybersecurity center, and forensic center. However, the controversies surrounded the entire IT sector, which must be resolved as soon as possible. 

Looking forward, the Government of Nepal has set the goal of 90 percent of households with internet access by 2029, as per the 16th Plan. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set to be achieved by 2030. With the continued efforts, Nepal has a huge potential to expand digital governance and ensure that the benefits of digitization reach every household across the country, but of course a proactive approach is more than important today.