KATHMANDU, APRIL 27
The Government of Nepal and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a concessional loan agreement worth USD 40 million to implement the Digital Transformation Project.
The agreement was signed today at the Ministry of Finance by Finance Secretary Dr. Ghanashyam Upadhyay and ADB Country Director for Nepal Arnaud Cauchois.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Finance, the project is the first in South Asia to be co-financed under the ADB–World Bank Mutual Reliance Framework. The initiative aims to strengthen the government's data hosting and cybersecurity infrastructure, enhancing the security and resilience of Nepal's digital systems.
The project will support key initiatives, including the development of an integrated citizen service portal, improvement of the national social registry, establishment of a secure government-wide data exchange platform for efficient and safe information sharing, and the digitalisation of approximately 11 high-impact public services.
Reforms backed by the ADB and the World Bank are expected to improve access to essential services, reduce waiting times and administrative hurdles, and enhance transparency in government processes-thereby fostering greater public trust in state institutions.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology will implement the project. It aligns with Nepal's Digital Nepal Framework 2.0, the Sixteenth National Plan, the e-Governance Blueprint, and ADB's Country Partnership Strategy for Nepal (2025–2029), which identifies digital transformation as a key cross-cutting priority.
The World Bank, acting as the lead lender, will also provide an additional concessional loan of USD 40 million. A separate loan agreement has already been signed with the World Bank.
Key components of the project include upgrading government digital platforms and shared services, strengthening cybersecurity preparedness, and building institutional and human resource capacity to ensure the long-term sustainability and effective operation of digital systems.
(With inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)
