Digital governance a political agenda requiring commitment from policy to budget allocation, say Experts

KATHMANDU: Digital governance is not just a technological initiative but a political agenda that demands strong commitment from policy formulation to budget allocation, emphasized stakeholders at the TechGov Nepal 2025 event held in Kathmandu on Sunday. The program, organized by Marching Ants in collaboration with The Asia Foundation, brought together experts who highlighted the critical role of political leadership in driving systemic change through digital governance.

Manohar Bhattarai, an IT expert and former Vice-Chairman of the High-Level Commission for Information Technology (HLCIT), stated that digital governance has the potential to transform Nepal’s economy by fostering innovation, creating jobs, and enhancing social inclusion. Drawing examples from countries like Estonia, India, Singapore, and South Korea, he explained how digital governance can streamline essential services such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism. “For digital governance to succeed, political leaders must commit to clear policies, allocate sufficient budgets, and establish structured frameworks for implementation,” Bhattarai said.

Dipesh Bista, CEO of the e-Governance Board, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that seamless data flow through digital platforms can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. Citing Estonia’s success, where digital governance saved 2,599 working hours in 2024 alone, Bista underscored the transformative potential of digital systems. He further revealed that a blueprint for electronic governance has been drafted and is under discussion, aiming to lay the foundation for Nepal’s economic transformation. “A robust data exchange platform is crucial for enabling effective digital governance,” Bista added.

Prabin Subedi, an expert in information technology law, highlighted the importance of digital governance in supporting migrant workers. He pointed out that services provided by the Department of Foreign Employment, such as job order verification, health checks, and insurance, are now accessible online, making processes more transparent. Subedi urged the government to ensure awareness among migrant workers about these digital services, citing examples from India and the Philippines, where similar initiatives have benefited overseas workers.

Kedar Bhandari, an engineer at the E-Governance Board, shared insights into the progress made so far, stating that the blueprint addresses key issues and outlines strategies for Nepal’s digital transformation. He emphasized its significance in bridging gaps in service delivery and improving governance efficiency.

The Role of Media in Promoting Digital Governance

During a group discussion, speakers stressed the pivotal role of media in advancing digital governance. Ramesh Sharma Paudyal, Director General of the Department of Information Technology, highlighted that media acts as a bridge between the government and citizens by disseminating information about digital services. “The media must communicate digital initiatives clearly and accessibly to ensure widespread awareness,” he said.

Nirmala Sharma, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), emphasized the need for journalists to be well-versed in digital governance. “Training and orientation programs should be conducted to equip media personnel with the knowledge required to report effectively on digital initiatives,” she added.

Senior journalist Babita Basnet reiterated that digital literacy is essential for the success of digital governance. She noted that strong digital systems not only enhance governance efficiency but also strengthen democracy by promoting transparency and accountability.

Experts concluded that while digital governance holds immense potential for Nepal’s development, its success hinges on sustained political commitment, adequate funding, and active collaboration among stakeholders, including the government, media, and citizens.