Nepal’s e-governance journey: Where we are, what’s holding us back, and what’s next

 Nepal’s E-Governance: Where We Stand, The Challenges, and What Needs to Be Done

What is E-Governance?
E-governance, or electronic governance, means using digital tools and technology to make government services faster, easier to access, and more efficient. In today’s digital world, this approach helps people access public services online and get involved in decision-making more directly.

It also brings more transparency and accountability, as government actions and services become more visible and open to the public.

Nepal’s Progress So Far
In recent years, Nepal has made several efforts to improve e-governance. The government has introduced digital services, created policies, formed dedicated institutions, and publicly committed to using paperless systems and digital tools.

The national budget for 2025/26 includes Rs. 7.4 billion specifically for building digital infrastructure, showing the government’s commitment to a digital future. However, turning this into reality requires solving deep-rooted problems in systems and coordination.

Where It All Started
Nepal’s major e-governance push began in 2022 when the government set up the E-Governance Board under the Prime Minister’s Office. This body is responsible for creating digital policies, improving government systems, and protecting against cyber threats.

The government has also introduced an E-Governance Blueprint, which focuses on areas like laws, digital skills, research, and international cooperation. The plan includes setting up new digital institutions at all levels of government.

However, the groundwork for e-governance began much earlier—in 2010—with the E-Governance Master Plan, supported by KOICA. This led to key developments such as the Nagarik App and National ID Cards.

• Nagarik App (launched in 2018): A one-stop mobile app giving access to many government services, such as tax registration, social security, and document verification. It has over 800,000 users and continues to grow.

• National Identity Card: A single digital ID for accessing multiple services.

In 2019, the government also launched the Digital Nepal Framework to guide digital efforts in sectors like agriculture, education, tourism, and energy. Although well-funded by the World Bank and MoCIT, its implementation has been weak due to poor coordination, technical issues, and financial limits. A new version—Digital Nepal Framework 2.0—has now been drafted to fix these gaps.

Key Challenges Nepal Faces

1. Cybersecurity Threats
   Government systems have been repeatedly targeted by cyberattacks, including a serious breach at the passport department. These incidents have increased by 380% annually. Although the National Cyber Security Center has been formed, it still faces problems in running effectively.

Countries like Estonia, which have strong cybersecurity policies and digital IDs, can serve as good examples for Nepal.

2. Digital Divide
   Many people in Nepal—especially in rural areas—don’t have internet or digital devices. According to the 2021 census, only 37.8% of households had internet access. The 16th Five-Year Plan aims to raise this to 90% by 2029.

Nepal can learn from India, which used mobile apps like UMANG and community centers to help rural populations go digital.

3. Lack of System Integration
   Different government departments use their own systems, which don’t communicate with each other. This means people must enter the same information multiple times, causing delays and frustration.

A shared data system and one-time registration process are needed to fix this, as mentioned in the E-Governance Blueprint.

4. Lack of Skilled Manpower
   Government offices often rely on underqualified staff for digital work. Many of them don’t have the technical skills needed to manage large-scale systems. Nepal needs to hire skilled IT professionals or work with private tech firms who already have the expertise.

5. Policy Overlap and Weak Coordination
   There are too many separate policies and plans—like the Digital Nepal Framework and E-Governance Blueprint—that aren’t properly linked. Local and provincial governments often don’t have the capacity or resources to implement these plans, making national efforts disjointed.

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What Can Be Done?

To succeed in e-governance, Nepal needs a unified and inclusive plan that includes:

• Evaluate Existing Platforms
  Check whether current digital services are working well before creating new ones. Improve what exists first.

• Create a National E-Governance Strategy
  Define a clear action plan that outlines who is responsible for what—at local, provincial, and federal levels.

• Invest in Digital Access
  Build internet infrastructure, community centers, and provide access to digital devices. Launch digital literacy campaigns, especially in remote areas.

• Work with the Private Sector
  Collaborate with tech companies and banks that already use reliable digital systems.

• Strengthen Cybersecurity
  Fully activate the National Cyber Security Center, pass a data protection law, and educate the public about digital safety and rights.

• Hire and Train Experts
  Recruit IT professionals and give regular training to government staff on digital tools and data management.

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Conclusion
Nepal’s journey toward effective e-governance is ongoing. With the right investments, strong leadership, skilled professionals, and better coordination across all government levels, Nepal can build a digital system that truly works for its people.