In a push towards digital transformation, Nepal’s E-governance Board, under the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, introduced the ‘E-Governance Blueprint’ on Tuesday.

E-Governance, or electronic governance, uses information and communication technologies (ICTs) like the internet, mobile computing, and networks to improve government and public sector services.

Experts say if public input is valued and implemented well, the blueprint could pave the way for a paperless government. It promises digital interactions and a stronger connection between the state, private sector, and citizens.

“By reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies, it could usher in a new era of technology-driven governance,” says Chiranjibi Adhikari, vice-president of the Federation of Computer Association Nepal and CEO of One Cover Private Limited.

The blueprint was initiated as per Clause 7 of the Electronic Governance Commission (Formation and Operation) Order, 2079.

The first meeting of the Electronic Governance Commission, chaired by the Prime Minister on April 30, 2023, mandated the development of the blueprint. Following this, on September 2, 2024, the E-Governance Board formed a Draft Revision Committee, consisting of representatives from key government agencies, including the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the Election Commission, the National Statistics Office, and experts from the field.

After discussions, the final draft was readied on January 27. The subsequent meeting on January 28 decided to circulate the draft for consultation and feedback.

“Compared to international standards, we lag significantly behind. But, as they say, better late than never,” says Jayanti Mala Chapagain, ICT expert and founder of Spiker Solutions.

The e-governance blueprint is structured around seven key pillars, each designed to address the existing challenges in digital transformation.

These include a clear governance framework for digital governance; legal and regulatory frameworks, and continued development of digital promoters; digital literacy and skills development; digital standards; formulation and implementation of guidelines; strengthened regional and international cooperation; and innovation, and research and development.

The blueprint proposes the establishment of several institutions to strengthen Nepal’s digital infrastructure. The Information Technology Department will play a central role in regulating and promoting ICT development, while the Data Protection Authority will focus on safeguarding both personal and public data.

In parallel, the National Cyber Research and Training Center will work on enhancing human resource capabilities in cybersecurity. Meanwhile, the National Cybersecurity Center will be tasked with monitoring cyber threats and conducting digital forensics to ensure national security in the digital realm.

“The provision, such as data protection authority, is a must for outsourcing IT service providers like us,” says Chapagain.

As per her, foreign companies often assess a country’s data security measures before entering into partnerships.

The absence of data protection laws and a dedicated regulatory authority to enforce data security compliance has long been a challenge for IT firms like hers when working with international clients.

“Many times, we have lost clients because of this. If a data protection authority is established, it would be a game-changer for us,” she adds.

Aside from establishing institutions, the blueprint mentions that the government will introduce a National Data Strategy to set clear standards, rules, and principles for managing data storage, exchange, and usage.

The national data strategy as per the blueprint will “improve data quality, ensure seamless interoperability, and integrate datasets across government bodies”. Key focus areas include metadata standards, data formats, secure storage, and the ‘once only principle’ to eliminate redundancy.

“The ‘once-only principle’ will help to establish a single data source and enforce strict quality standards for better governance,” reads the document.

The blueprint sets the stage for regional and international collaboration, too. The government has laid out plans for enhancing electronic interactions with Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs).

Under this section, the long-term visas will be issued digitally. It aims to partner with India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh for mutual recognition of electronic IDs and signatures, cross-border payment system interoperability, and secure data exchange.

Some major plans for the next three years include drafting the e-governance act, restructuring the Department of Information Technology, and setting up a data exchange platform.

Adhikari praises the blueprint as a positive step for Nepal. “This shows that Nepal is taking the vision of ‘Digital Nepal’ seriously,” he says.

However, he has concerns about the one-week timeline for public feedback. “One week is too short. We need more time and input from a broad range of stakeholders—users, policymakers, entrepreneurs,” he said. “At least a month is necessary for meaningful feedback. Just putting the blueprint on a website isn’t enough.”

While he supports the idea of data exchange platforms, he calls for more clarity. “Can data provided for the National ID be used by the banking sector for KYC verification?” he asks. “We need a clear plan for cross-sector data sharing, not just government-to-government exchanges.”

Professor Dr Subarna Shakya, president of Cybersecurity Research and Innovation (CSRI Nepal), seconded that. “A secure and transparent data exchange platform is what we need.”

Shakya also stresses the importance of improving digital literacy among both citizens and government employees to ensure the effective use of e-governance services.

“The digital gap between urban and rural areas needs to be solved for successful e-governance. Or else it will only be for areas like Kathmandu”, adds Adhikari.

Experts say while the e-governance blueprint presents an ambitious plan, its success will depend on a well-structured implementation strategy, ongoing stakeholder engagement, and adaptive policy frameworks.

According to Shakya, the blueprint lacks clear timelines. He urges setting specific actions and deadlines for the next three years. These include passing necessary laws, restructuring departments, and launching service centers.

“Regular monitoring and evaluation of the blueprint’s implementation are crucial to identify challenges and make necessary adjustments for ongoing improvement”, he adds.