For Nepal to truly benefit from the digital revolution, it cannot rely solely on foreign-built platforms. In today’s world, technological strength goes hand-in-hand with national power. Experts warn that countries failing to keep pace with technology risk becoming “colonies or satellites” of more powerful states. In practical terms, this means Nepali data and digital commerce could be mined by global tech giants without driving growth at home. A local digital ecosystem – including our own infrastructure, apps, and services – would give Nepal sovereignty over its data and ensure that the economic and social gains stay in Nepal.
Countries like India and South Korea show what’s possible when digital platforms are homegrown. India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – a real-time payments network built by Indians for India – now processes tens of billions of transactions each year and has saved the Indian economy approximately $67 billion since its 2016 launch. That local innovation keeps transaction costs low and revenue within the country. By contrast, global social and search platforms typically extract huge value from emerging markets without reinvesting locally. For example, Facebook has 423 million users in India, yet its advertising revenue from India is far smaller than from North America. Nepalese users generate data and engagement, but most profits flow out, not back into the Nepali economy. Building Nepali platforms – from mobile wallets to search engines – would mean more jobs, local investment, and tax revenue staying home.
Independence Through Innovation
A vibrant local digital economy creates jobs and fuels growth. Nepal already has examples in fintech: eSewa, Nepal’s first online payment gateway, and Khalti, a popular mobile wallet, have made online payments common here. These homegrown services keep small transaction fees in Nepal and encourage businesses (and citizens) to transact digitally. If Nepal had a domestic counterpart to India’s ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), small Nepali retailers could plug into a unified e‑commerce network and compete on an equal footing with any big platform. Imagine instead of a foreign app taking 30% of a sale, Nepali entrepreneurs share more of that value.
By capturing value locally, a national digital ecosystem can multiply economic benefits. When UPI took off, many small Indian merchants moved from cash to digital payments – boosting efficiency and expanding the formal economy. Nepal’s Digital Nepal Framework (2019) likewise aims to use technology to “boost economic growth” via digitization. To meet that goal, Nepal needs not only policies but also homegrown platforms that address our infrastructure and scale. With roughly half of Nepalis online (about 15.4 million internet users, ~49.6% penetration) and ~73% smartphone ownership, the audience is large. Developing Nepali services would turn this audience into an engine for our own industry.
Innovation to Local Needs
Foreign platforms often fail to understand Nepali context. Algorithms and interfaces trained on Western datasets can misfire on South Asian data. One study notes that AI systems and algorithms, trained on predominantly Western datasets, often perform poorly in contexts they weren’t designed for, regularly mishandling non-Western languages. A Nepali-made search engine or app can be customized for Nepali language, culture, and even rural conditions (e.g., low bandwidth).
Look at South Korea: Naver is fully tailored to Korean. Today over 60% of Korean internet users use Naver as their default search engine, because it offers features and understanding specific to Korean language and content. Similarly, KakaoTalk – a Korean-made messaging/social app – counts 53.5 million monthly users, essentially every smartphone user in South Korea (~93%). These platforms integrate local services (news, shopping, payments) in one place. Nepal could see the same synergy. For instance, Niriv – Nepal’s first homegrown search engine and digital portal – was created explicitly “to simplify the way Nepali people interact with the internet,” prioritizing Nepali content and local news. This kind of innovation leverages our language and culture rather than forcing Nepalis to adapt to foreign designs.
Homegrown platforms also spark broader tech innovation. Local developers gain valuable experience solving Nepali problems – from hillside delivery logistics to support for our multiple languages. Each Nepali startup that succeeds inspires the next, creating an ecosystem of talent. By contrast, using only foreign apps makes Nepal a user of technology, not a creator of it. We want Nepali engineers and entrepreneurs asking “What digital solutions does Nepal need?” rather than just adopting products made elsewhere.
Culture and Control
Digital platforms shape culture and information flow. If global apps dominate, Nepali culture risks dilution or misrepresentation. Content recommended by international platforms may favor global trends over local traditions or languages. Having local platforms helps preserve and promote Nepali media, arts, and language online. For example, a Nepali search engine can highlight Nepali-language news and websites that a global search might bury. Likewise, local social media or video apps could better filter out content harmful to Nepali social harmony.
Local platforms also give Nepal control over data and privacy. Many developing countries lack strict data laws; foreign companies often store data offshore, away from local jurisdiction. By contrast, homegrown services can be regulated by Nepali law and keep user data within Nepal. This strengthens citizens’ privacy and security. In fact, Nepal has drafted a Personal Data Protection Policy to safeguard its people, but real protection is easier if data resides on servers in Nepal and under our regulators’ oversight.
Global Success Stories
The experiences of other countries offer lessons. India’s UPI shows how a unified local infrastructure can revolutionize finance, while its ONDC shows the value of an open, government-backed network to democratize e-commerce. South Korea’s Naver and Kakao illustrate that local platforms can beat global giants by tuning to national needs. These platforms create jobs, keep revenue local, and often attract international interest later on. Nepal should aim for similar wins: for example, a Nepali alternative to a messaging or delivery app could capture huge local usage if it’s built for Nepali cities and villages.
By contrast, when we rely on imported tech, the investment in Nepal is often shallow. International companies may not invest in Nepali talent or local infrastructure, even as they profit from our users. The current pattern is a new form of “digital colonization” – big platforms collecting Nepali data with little benefit returned. Avoiding that trap means nurturing Nepal’s own ecosystem from the ground up.
The Way Forward
Importantly, efforts are already underway. As mentioned, startups like Niriv are building Nepali-oriented search and media services. Nepal also has talented software teams, growing IT exports, and government support under the Digital Nepal vision. What’s needed now is a push to connect these strengths: subsidies or policies that encourage Nepali data centers, incubators for local apps, and public awareness of why it matters.
A vibrant Nepali digital ecosystem would mean more economic value staying in our country, tailored solutions for Nepali society, and stronger digital sovereignty. By following the examples of India’s UPI/ONDC and Korea’s Naver/Kakao – which leveraged local innovation for massive gains – Nepal can build platforms that serve its unique needs. Soft initiatives like Niriv show that Nepalis are capable of this shift. If Nepal champions its own platforms, it will reap the economic, innovative, and cultural rewards of a truly digital future — rather than remaining a passive consumer of foreign tech.
