Nepal and Estonia Explore Cooperation in Digital Transformation and E-Governance

Nepal and Estonia have explored expanding bilateral cooperation in digital transformation and electronic governance, including digital public infrastructure, cybersecurity and institutional capacity building.

The discussions took place between Nepal’s Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Dr. Bikram Timilsina, and Estonia’s Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs, Liisa Pakosta, on the sidelines of the International Telecommunication Union’s World Telecommunication Policy Forum 2026 in Doha, Qatar.

During the meeting, Minister Timilsina praised Estonia’s achievements in digital governance, saying Nepal could benefit from its experience in developing technology-based public services.

Estonia is among the leading countries in digital governance, with established systems for digital identity, secure data exchange, electronic signatures and online public services.

Timilsina highlighted opportunities for cooperation in digital public infrastructure, integration of government services, digital identity, cybersecurity and institutional development.

He also raised concerns over the widening digital divide, saying differences in access to artificial intelligence, advanced digital infrastructure and emerging technologies could create new forms of inequality among countries.

He called on technologically advanced countries, including Estonia, to play a more active role through the ITU in helping developing and least developed countries benefit from digital technologies.

In response, Minister Pakosta expressed Estonia’s commitment to advancing mutual cooperation and partnership with Nepal in digital transformation and e-governance, and offered to share Estonia’s knowledge and experience.

The proposed cooperation is expected to support more efficient and transparent public services in Nepal, reduce administrative costs and processing time, and expand access to digital services, particularly in rural and remote communities.