On May 29, 2025, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors discussed a new seven-year Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Nepal, aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth through job creation and enhanced resilience to natural disasters and climate change.
David Sislen, the World Bank’s Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, emphasized the core mission of the CPF: “Creating jobs is not just at the heart of our mission, it is also the lifeline that can drive Nepal’s sustainable and resilient growth.” The CPF builds on more than six decades of partnership and focuses on mobilizing collaboration among development partners and the private sector to drive growth and investment.
Under the CPF, the World Bank Group intends to mobilize approximately $2.7 billion to support three main outcomes: creating more and better jobs, strengthening connectivity and access to services, and enhancing resilience to climate and disaster risks.
In the short term, the CPF will prioritize reforms in sectors identified as growth engines—tourism, digital connectivity, and integrated urban development. These efforts aim to improve Nepal’s investment climate, expand access to digital services, and enhance the economic potential of key urban centers such as the Kathmandu Valley and other secondary cities.
Imad N. Fakhoury, Regional Director for South Asia at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), reaffirmed the private sector’s vital role: “We support Nepal in creating more and better jobs, bolstering disaster preparedness, and contributing to a sustainable future by mobilizing domestic and international private capital.”
In addition to financing and reform support, the CPF will also focus on enhancing the accountability and efficiency of public institutions to improve governance and service delivery.
Şebnem Erol Madan, Director for Economics and Sustainability at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), highlighted efforts to reduce investment risk: “By mitigating investment risks, MIGA aims to attract private sector investments that are crucial for creating jobs and strengthening economic resilience.”
The CPF aligns with Nepal’s 16th Plan and has been shaped by extensive consultations across all seven provinces, as well as in-depth analytical and evaluation studies. This collaborative and strategic roadmap is expected to help Nepal leverage its assets and build a more inclusive and resilient future.
