The Government of Nepal has begun revising the Digital Nepal Framework. Initially launched in 2019, the framework aimed at promoting Nepal’s digital transformation. Now, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has released a draft for Digital Nepal Framework 2.0, which focuses on updating the framework to meet current needs and trends.
Key Focus Areas of the Digital Nepal Framework:
- Digital Transformation Strategy The Digital framework outlines a unified approach to Nepal’s digital transformation. It includes eight key sectors—digital infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, energy, tourism, finance, and urban infrastructure—with 80 main initiatives identified to boost Nepal’s digital presence globally and drive economic transformation.
- Challenges in Implementation While the framework was ambitious, its execution faced challenges, such as lack of coordination among implementing bodies, insufficient funding, and gaps in technical capacity. To address these, the new framework revision aims to overcome these shortcomings.
Changes in the Revised Framework:
- New Strategic Focus: The revised framework, named FAST (Future-Ready Digital Foundations, Access to Digital Services, Skills and Digital Literacy, and Transformation of Digital Economy), shifts from the original eight sectors to focus on four core strategies. These are designed to strengthen digital infrastructure, improve access to services, enhance skills, and drive the digital economy.
- Core Areas of Improvement:
- Future-Ready Digital Foundations: These include the development of digital public infrastructure, global high-speed internet access, and secure, scalable data hosting solutions.
- Access to Digital Services: The focus is on increasing the reach of digital services to all sectors of society.
- Skills and Digital Literacy: The framework aims to improve IT skills across various sectors, from government employees to educational institutions.
- Transformation of the Digital Economy: The framework also emphasizes boosting innovation, supporting small and medium businesses through e-commerce, and promoting sustainable practices in digital industries.
Addressing Implementation Challenges:
The revision also aims to resolve the gaps seen in the previous framework’s implementation. Key steps include:
- Strengthening coordination mechanisms.
- Enhancing technical skills and capacity.
- Ensuring a phased and prioritized approach to the implementation of digital initiatives.
New Principles and Governance:
- New Guiding Principles: The revised framework includes new guiding principles such as economic resilience, social inclusion, and climate-friendly practices. These principles were not clearly defined in the previous framework.
- Increased Stakeholder Engagement: A focus on consulting with stakeholders ensures that the revised framework addresses the diverse needs of Nepal. The new version presents more detailed and organized infrastructure under the FAST model, with a clearer emphasis on technology, entrepreneurship, talent, and skills development.
Proposed Digital Transformation Council:
To manage the challenges of execution, a new body called the Digital Transformation Council is proposed. This council will:
- Set national digital priorities.
- Monitor project progress.
- Address inter-agency challenges.
- Ensure policy consistency. The Council will be led by the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, with key officials from relevant ministries and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Focus on Emerging Technologies:
The Digital Nepal Framework 2.0 also highlights the importance of emerging technologies such as 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) under Industry 4.0. The framework aims to leverage these technologies for national development.
