Nepal is prioritizing data centers and cloud services as essential infrastructure to drive its rapidly expanding digital economy. With broadband penetration reaching 135% by July 2023 and digital sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, e-learning, and digital health thriving, the nation is laying the groundwork for a robust digital future.
The country’s IT service exports reached $515 million in 2022, marking a 64.2% growth from the previous year, highlighting the urgent need for reliable data infrastructure. Experts say that cybersecurity threats, skills gaps, uneven digital access in rural areas, and outdated policies are key challenges that must be addressed for sustainable digital development.
To overcome these hurdles, Nepal is focusing on strengthening cybersecurity, promoting public-private partnerships for local data centers, building a skilled workforce in AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, expanding rural broadband connectivity, and attracting foreign investment to position the country as a strategic data hub in South Asia.
Chiranjibi Adhikari, Cybersecurity Policy Expert and Senior Vice President of the Federation of Computer Associations Nepal, emphasizes that “data centers and cloud services are the lifeline of Nepal’s digital economy. Strategic investments, forward-thinking policies, and collaborative efforts will enhance global competitiveness and ensure inclusive digital growth.”
As Nepal invests in these critical technologies today, it aims to secure a future defined by innovation, economic growth, and digital inclusion across the country.
