IT vital for good governance, development and prosperity: PM Oli

LALITPUR: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has emphasised the vital role of information technology (IT) in securing good governance, development and prosperity.

Addressing the International IT Youth Conference 2025, organised by the National Youth Association in Lalitpur, virtually on Sunday, he said that leveraging IT is essential to realising the national ambition of ‘Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepali’. He noted that the current Digital Nepal Framework was devised during his first term in office and highlighted the government’s new artificial intelligence policy.

PM Oli credited legal reforms introduced under his premiership with enabling IT companies to register, operate and grow in Nepal. He urged all citizens to use IT to advance the country, tackle corruption and foster social harmony and innovation.

He attributed up to a 14% improvement in Secondary Education Examination (SEE) results to the online classes provided during the pandemic but warned against the misuse of digital tools. Reaffirming the government’s commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression, he insisted that information harmful to society must not be disseminated.

On the same occasion, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Prithvi Subba Gurung described IT as “linking dreams to opportunities” and building a global movement of innovation and collaboration. “Thousands of Nepali youths are virtually connected from the remote valleys of Jumla to the innovation hubs of Silicon Valley,” he said, calling it proof that technology knows no boundaries.

Describing the conference as the launch of a global digital youth movement, Minister Gurung added that it provides a platform to discuss Nepal’s IT policies, laws and frameworks under the theme ‘Connecting Nepali Youths Globally, For Connecting Nepal Globally’.

He urged a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of Nepal’s digital ecosystem, stressing the need to explore careers, entrepreneurship and global investment. “With our youth at the forefront, Nepal can emerge not only as a participant but as a contributor to the global digital revolution,” he argued.

Minister Gurung outlined the government’s focus areas: Digital Nepal Framework 2.0; accelerated policy reform, infrastructure and human resources; enhanced connectivity; digital governance and cyber-security; nationwide 5G rollout; data centres and satellite projects; and the deployment of AI, blockchain and other emerging technologies in governance, education and business.

“From smart schools in every village to AI innovation hubs in global cities, Nepal is building a future where technology uplifts every citizen,” he said. He also highlighted Nepal’s advocacy for inclusive digital transformation at WSIS+20 and within the Group of 77 negotiating bloc.

Recalling Nepal’s participation at the recent World AI Conference in Shanghai, Gurung stated, “From Geneva to Tokyo, from London to Kathmandu, Nepal is shaping itself as a future hub of IT, AI and innovation, powered by clean energy and our talented youth.” He concluded by calling for togetherness in Nepal’s digital journey.

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