Ganesh Karki: A vision for Nepal’s growth

Ganesh Karki’s early education began in Jhapa, Nepal, in the village that is now Kamal Rural Municipality. “I attended school there until third grade,” he says. However, since the village lacked educational facilities beyond grade three, he had to walk about an hour and half daily to attend grades four through seven. For high school, he moved to Dharan and later, around 1983, he relocated to Kathmandu to pursue further education.

“I started working pretty early on,” he says, adding that his experiences shaped his understanding of the limits of salaried jobs. Recognizing that a job alone wasn’t enough, he took his first steps into the business world. Around 1985, Nepal’s carpet industry was thriving, which inspired him to start a business manufacturing threads for carpets.

“We received payments only after the carpets made from our threads were sold,” he says. This prompted him to think bigger. “I wondered, why not make the carpets myself?” This idea led to the establishment of a large carpet factory employing 300–400 workers. Unfortunately, the industry faced a significant crash, and carpets stopped selling. He turned to the rising Pashmina industry. The Pashmina market, too, eventually peaked and began to decline.

The hydropower sector was emerging as a promising new frontier in Nepal. “Equipment for hydropower projects was either imported from Europe, which was very expensive, or from China,” he says. Seeing an opportunity, he ventured into the business of importing Chinese equipment for hydropower projects.

“After working on various projects, I developed a deeper understanding of the hydropower sector,” he says. This growing knowledge enabled Karki to establish himself as a key player in the industry. “I was around 32 years old when I first entered the sector. It’s been about 20–25 years and I’ve been fully involved in it.”

Karki believes that the path to a prosperous Nepal lies in strategic investments and developments within the hydropower sector. “We say ‘Samriddha Nepal, Sukhi Nepali,’ but prosperity cannot be achieved by slogans alone,” he says. He explained that the exodus of Nepali citizens to foreign countries is driven by the lack of opportunities at home. “If Nepal was financially strong, people wouldn’t feel the need to leave. They move abroad seeking better opportunities. If those opportunities existed here, they would stay.”

According to Karki, hydropower holds the key to unlocking Nepal’s economic potential in the short term. “The potential in this sector is immense,” he emphasized. “Not only does domestic consumption of electricity remain high, but there is also significant potential for exporting excess energy to neighboring countries like India, Bangladesh, and even China. We can generate substantial revenue from electricity exports while simultaneously creating numerous employment opportunities within Nepal,” he says.

He acknowledges that time is of the essence. “We are already late. If we don’t prioritize the development of the hydropower sector today, in ten years, newer technologies for electricity generation might render our resources redundant,” he warns. 

Currently, Nepal faces challenges in achieving energy self-sufficiency. “During dry seasons, we have to import electricity. Only in the rainy seasons do we generate enough to meet our needs and even sell some. The goal should be to reach a point where we are self-sufficient all year round,” he says. Karki stressed the need for government intervention. “The government must make the energy sector its primary focus for the next decade,” he says. 

The hydropower industry in Nepal faces numerous challenges, despite its vast potential of around 200,000 MW. Currently, Nepal generates only 3,200 MW, with the government aiming for 28,500 MW by 2035—a target requiring $50bn in investment. However, bureaucratic hurdles, such as navigating 16 ministries for project approvals and lengthy licensing processes, hinder progress. “The government asks people to run but ties their feet,” he says. “Issues like delayed transmission lines, lack of explosives, and financing difficulties must be resolved. Collaboration between the government and private sector is essential to unlock hydropower’s potential,” he adds.

Karki stresses on the importance of starting the day with clear priorities and effective time management. When it comes to balancing personal and professional life, Karki firmly believes in maintaining personal connections. “Without personal life, family, and friends, a person becomes a machine. I try my best to spend time with my family and friends while managing work and fulfilling social responsibilities,” he says. 

A former national Karate player and referee, Karki continues to stay connected to his passion for the sport as the president of the Nepal Goju-Ryu Karate Association. “I feel proud to have been a player,” he said, adding that he prioritizes daily exercise to maintain physical and mental health.

As the Honorary Consul of Mauritius, Karki drew inspiration from the nation thriving on tourism to discuss Nepal’s potential. “Nepal has unique attractions, like the world’s highest peak, Mt. Everest, that can draw global tourists,” he says. He stresses on the importance of making Nepal more widely known for tourism and investment. He says there is a need for better infrastructure and promotion. “With the right efforts, both tourism and investments can drive Nepal’s growth.”

He reasserts that hydropower is a pivotal sector for the country’s growth, noting its ability to drive investments and spur development. However, he stresses that the responsibility of building Nepal lies with its citizens. “We must make our country. Nobody else can make it for us,” he says. Although Nepal’s bigger neighbors, such as India and China, can assist in its development, he believes the primary burden rests on Nepalis themselves.

“It’s easy to blame the government for everything,” he says “but we must also realize our own responsibilities. Development requires effort from all of us—not just from those in power.”

His call to action for the youth is clear: Focus on contributing to the country’s progress in any way possible. “Employment opportunities are immense, and there is so much potential to explore. We need to focus on making the country a better place—starting with our own efforts,” he says.

For him, progress is not just about individual success but about uplifting the entire nation. “If only a handful of people are on top, the country doesn’t truly progress. The country as a whole needs to move forward together.”

His work, he says, is for the betterment of the nation, society, and the youth. “We work to create a more prosperous society,” he says, underscoring the importance of shared responsibility in driving Nepal’s development.