Kathmandu-The Digital Gandaki Dialogue 2026 concluded successfully in Pokhara with technology leaders and policymakers unveiling a strategic roadmap aimed at accelerating Nepal’s digital transformation through Sovereign AI, stronger cybersecurity, and digital governance reforms.

Organized jointly by the CAN Federation Gandaki Province and CAN Federation Kaski Chapter, the event brought together stakeholders from across the information technology sector to discuss the future of Nepal’s digital economy and the role of emerging technologies in public service delivery.

Delivering the keynote address, Chiranjibi Adhikari, Acting President of CAN Federation Nepal and a digital transformation leader, presented a policy paper titled 'Digital Gandaki Dialogue 2026: Advancing Nepal’s National IT Agenda through Sovereign AI and Strategic Policy Advocacy.'

The paper outlined a comprehensive framework focused on data sovereignty, secure digital infrastructure, AI-driven governance, and regional digital self-reliance. The roadmap proposed several policy measures, including a 1 percent corporate tax rate for domestic IT companies, mandatory preference for Nepal-made software in government procurement, deployment of local-language large language models (LLMs) to automate public services, implementation of National Minimum Security Standards (NMSS) for government digital systems, and the establishment of green data centers and ICT innovation labs in Pokhara powered by Gandaki’s hydropower resources.

 The conference also presented findings from the national report 'Digital Governance in Palika and Provinces: Efforts and Practices,' which revealed persistent digital infrastructure gaps across the country.

According to the report, approximately 6 percent of ward offices still lack electricity access, while 5 percent do not have internet connectivity, highlighting the challenges facing Nepal’s digital transformation efforts.

Participants emphasized the need for Data for Decision Making (D4D) systems and stronger coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments to address these issues. The conference concluded with a commitment to advancing a digitally empowered Nepal through collaboration, innovation, and strategic policy reforms that can strengthen the country’s growing technology sector and improve public service delivery.