Minister Jagdish Kharel: Building Nepal’s ‘Digital Highway’ Through New National AI Policy
5th January 2026, Kathmandu
In a significant move toward modernizing the nation’s infrastructure, the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagdish Kharel, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ushering Nepal into a new era of connectivity through a dedicated “Digital Highway.”
Minister Jagdish Building Digital Highway
Speaking at an interaction with the winners of the ICT Awards 2025 on Sunday, Minister Kharel highlighted that the future of Nepal rests on the shoulders of innovators, entrepreneurs, and the burgeoning Gen Z workforce.
The Pillars of Digital Nepal
Minister Kharel emphasized that the government is not just talking about technology but is actively building the policy framework to support it. A landmark achievement in this journey is the endorsement of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2082 (2025), which was passed within the first three months of the current interim government’s formation.
“We are framing a roadmap that bridges the gap between traditional governance and modern technology. The Digital Highway is the path to economic prosperity for all Nepalese,” the Minister stated.
Key Highlights of the Roadmap:
National AI Policy: Setting ethical and safety standards to make Nepal an “AI-centric” nation.
Startup Support: Encouraging collaboration between the state and private innovators in fintech, agritech, and healthtech.
Policy Reforms: Addressing previous “policy ambiguity” and sluggish implementation to create a business-friendly environment for IT companies.
Digital Recognition: Acknowledging the ICT Award 2025 winners as the “true engines” of the digital economy.
Advertisement
Bridging the Gap: Challenges and Solutions
Despite the optimism, Minister Kharel was candid about the hurdles facing the sector. He identified insufficient budget allocations and legal complexities as primary reasons why the IT sector has not reached its full potential.
To solve this, he pledged that the Ministry of Communications would serve as a “Contact Ministry,” a bridge connecting tech stakeholders with all relevant government departments to streamline processes.
Elections and Technology: A Look Towards March 5
With the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5, 2026 (Phagun 21), the Minister addressed the possibility of electronic voting. While he acknowledged that IT-based voting is the way forward, he noted that a lack of political consensus among parties means traditional methods will be used this time.
He urged the IT community and the youth to play an active role in the upcoming elections by electing “good leaders” who understand the value of technology and systemic reform.
Celebrating Innovation: The ICT Award 2025 Winners
The Minister took the time to listen to the concerns of the ICT Award 2025 winners, including representatives from top startups like Arkbo Technologies, QuickCCA, and MindBridge. He noted that their recognition is not just a private honor but a State Honor, signifying the importance of their contribution to the nation’s digital footprint.
Conclusion
As Nepal navigates its political transition, the focus on the Digital Highway provides a glimmer of hope for a more transparent, efficient, and prosperous future.
With the youth-led movement demanding digital inclusion and the government responding with policies like the National AI Policy, the path toward a “Digital Nepal” is becoming clearer than ever.
