Driving Digital Nepal: Ncell CEO Michael Patrick Foley Commits to Supporting Government’s 100-Point Action Plan

3rd April 2026, Kathmandu

In a recent high-level dialogue at the NBCCI Fireside Chat, Ncell CEO Michael Patrick Foley underscored a critical truth for Nepal’s economic future: the government’s ambitious 100-point action plan cannot succeed without a robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) framework.

Ncell CEO Michael Patrick Foley Commits

As Nepal navigates an evolving landscape for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), the telecommunications sector stands as the primary engine capable of fulfilling the aspirations of the Nepalese people.

Telecommunications: The Catalyst for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

For international investors, the quality of a country’s digital infrastructure is often the first “litmus test” of economic readiness. Telecom acts as a multiplier for FDI in three distinct ways:

Risk Mitigation through Connectivity: Investors require real-time data and seamless communication to manage global supply chains. A strong 5G and fiber network reduces the “distance” between Kathmandu and global financial hubs.

Infrastructure for Tech Giants: Large-scale investments in fintech, e-commerce, and AI sectors. Nepal is currently prioritizing reliance entirely on the bandwidth and data center capabilities provided by telecom leaders like Ncell.

Signaling Market Stability: When major telecom players show the capacity to raise funds and back government visions, it sends a powerful signal of confidence to the global investment community.

“Ncell will stand up to support the government’s vision… We have the capacity to raise the required funds and back this vision.”  Michael Patrick Foley, CEO of Ncell.

Powering the ‘Digital Nepal’ Framework

The Digital Nepal Framework aims to digitize eight key sectors, including health, education, and energy. Telecommunications is the “digital highway” that makes these goals a reality:

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1. Healthcare & Education

By providing high-speed internet to remote regions, telecom companies enable telemedicine and e-learning, ensuring that the “Digital Nepal” vision is inclusive and reaches every corner of the country.

2. Enabling the 100-Point Action Plan

The government’s current economic roadmap requires rapid digitization of public services. High-speed connectivity ensures that government-to-citizen (G2C) services are transparent, efficient, and free of bureaucratic bottlenecks.

3. Financial Inclusion

Through mobile money and digital wallets, the telecom sector has already revolutionized how the Nepalese people interact with the economy, bringing banking services to the unbanked and fostering a culture of digital entrepreneurship.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

While the potential is vast, the Fireside Chat organized by the Nepal Britain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI) highlighted that challenges remain. For FDI to flourish, the telecom industry requires:

Predictable Regulatory Environment: Policy stability is essential for long-term capital investment.

Supportive ICT Infrastructure: Lowering the cost of international bandwidth and simplifying tower deployment.

Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborative efforts between the government and private sector players like Ncell, Unilever Nepal, and the Dolma Impact Fund.

Conclusion: A Meaningful Role for Society

The message from industry leaders is clear: Ncell and the wider telecom sector are ready to be the bedrock of Nepal’s digital transformation. By allowing these companies to play their part in health, education, and investment, Nepal can bridge the digital divide and emerge as a competitive player in the global digital economy.

For more: Ncell CEO Michael Patrick Foley