Combating Nepal’s Mobile Grey Market: CAN Federation and NMDA Demand Stricter MDMS Enforcement
1st June 2026, Kathmandu
The Nepalese information technology and mobile business sectors are entering a new era of strategic cooperation. In a significant move to address pressing industry challenges, the Computer Association of Nepal Federation (CAN Federation) and the Nepal Mobile Distributors Association (NMDA) have officially formed an institutional alliance.
Combating Nepal’s Mobile Grey Market
The high-level Institutional Alliance Discussion Meeting took place on Sunday, May 31, 2026 (Jestha 17, 2083), at the CAN Federation Central Office in Khusibu, Kathmandu.
The summit focused heavily on driving the development of the mobile industry, resolving policy ambiguities, and building a united front against the unauthorized mobile import market.
Driving Policy Advocacy and Regulating the Mobile Ecosystem
The meeting, jointly led by Chiranjibi Adhikari, Acting President of the CAN Federation, and Raghu Tripathi, President of NMDA, aimed to create a transparent, secure, and well-managed mobile marketplace in Nepal.
Both leaders expressed a strong commitment to exerting collective pressure at the state level for much-needed regulatory reforms. The discussion centered around three core agendas:
Institutional Alignment: Fostering mutual introductions and aligning the strategic directions of both executive committees.
Addressing Shared Challenges: Conducting active policy advocacy, curbing the grey market, and standardizing hardware and mobile ecosystem regulations.
Future Roadmap: Designing a sustainable, long-term roadmap for collaboration and market monitoring.
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A United Front Against Nepal’s Mobile ‘Grey Market’
The rapid rise of the grey market (illegal or unauthorized imports) has emerged as a critical threat to the Nepalese economy and legitimate businesses alike.
“The mobile and technology sector has become the backbone of our national economy. To end the anomalies within this sector, collaboration between CAN Federation and NMDA is indispensable. Illegal imports not only drain state revenue but also push legitimate Nepalese entrepreneurs to the brink. We will run joint advocacy campaigns to stop this.” Chiranjibi Adhikari, Acting President, CAN Federation
Echoing these sentiments, NMDA President Raghu Tripathi emphasized that this alliance provides the necessary leverage to push for stricter regulatory enforcement.
“This coalition gives us immense strength to lobby for the effective implementation of systems like the Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) and to advocate for more practical, business-friendly import policies.” Raghu Tripathi, President, NMDA
Strong Leadership Backing for Future Execution
The gravity of this strategic alliance was reflected in the dense attendance of top leadership from both organizations, ensuring that the joint roadmap moves directly from discussion to strict execution.
The meeting saw the active participation of CAN Federation’s Acting President Chiranjibi Adhikari, along with the General Secretary, Treasurer, and executive members of the 15th committee. Representing NMDA were President Raghu Tripathi, the Immediate Past President, Vice President, General Secretary, and Treasurer.
As the grey market continues to disrupt local tech ecosystems, this historic alliance between CAN Federation and NMDA marks a decisive turning point toward a regulated, secure, and thriving mobile industry for Nepalese consumers and businesses alike.
For more: Combating Nepal’s Mobile Grey Market
