Nepal’s digital economy is expanding beyond fintech and digital payments into areas such as content creation, the gig economy and algorithm-driven businesses, experts said during a discussion organized by the National Assembly’s Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee.
Expert Ramakanta Pandey noted that content creators and influencers are increasingly influencing the economy, while digital technology is creating new businesses, employment opportunities and income sources.
Dinesh Bista said Nepal has strong prospects in the digital economy but needs improvements in digital infrastructure, 5G networks and legal frameworks. He emphasized the need for a clear legal foundation for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), particularly regarding data sharing among government agencies.
He suggested establishing a data exchange platform that would allow government bodies to securely share verified information. For example, citizens would not need to repeatedly submit documents such as land ownership certificates when government agencies could obtain verified information directly from the relevant authority.
Such a system could significantly reduce the time required for services such as company registration, where information currently has to be repeatedly verified and exchanged among different agencies.
Experts also stressed the importance of personal data protection, cybersecurity, digital governance and accountability. They emphasized that Nepal’s digital transformation must advance alongside strong legal and institutional frameworks for secure and responsible data management.
