Nepal’s IT Budget 2083/84: A Launchpad for a Digital Future or an Unfulfilled Dream? CAN Federation Steps Up the Debate

June 2, 2026

In the recently unveiled national budget of रू 2.124 trillion(NPR 2.124 Lakh Crore) for the upcoming fiscal year 2083/84, the Government of Nepal has, for the first time, positioned Information Technology and digital innovation as the core pillars of the country's long-term economic strategy.

The tech sector has warmly welcomed the government's ambitious vision to transition Nepal from an import-reliant nation into a Weightless High-Value Digital Economy."

Recognizing this historic milestone, the Computer Association of Nepal (CAN) Federation has announced a high-level multi-stakeholder dialogue to meticulously review the budget's impacts, opportunities, and underlying challenges. The conceptual framework for this discourse—spearheaded by the Acting President of CAN Federation and renowned IT entrepreneur, Chiranjibi Adhikari—underscores the critical importance of this budget for Nepal’s tech ecosystem.

However, despite the glossy policy declarations, a fundamental question remains: *Will this budget truly open doors for innovative startups, software exporters, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs, or will deeply rooted bureaucratic and structural hurdles stall its momentum?*

Key IT Catalysts in the FY 2083/84 Budget

To accelerate digital transformation, the government has introduced several ambitious schemes and policy reforms this year:

Sovereign AI Compute Center (Syuchatar):** A landmark initiative to establish dedicated domestic AI infrastructure.

Attractive Tax Rebates on IT Exports:** Generous tax incentives aimed at boosting software and service exports.

10% Digital VAT Rebate:** A consumer and business-friendly kickback to incentivize digital transactions.
* **Nepal Telecom Divestment for Tech Hub Financing:** Selling a portion of Nepal Telecom's shares to directly fund local tech hubs.
* **E-Governance & Fintech Expansion:** Broadening digital governance and strengthening the financial technology ecosystem.

Ground Reality: Grassroots Challenges and Startup Concerns

While the budget announcements have generated significant excitement, tech founders, experts, and grassroots innovators are pressing the government on practical execution.

| Policy Announcement | Critical Implementation Concerns |

Sovereign AI Compute Center** | Will independent developers and early-stage startups get affordable access, or will it be monopolized by large corporate houses? |

| **50% Income Tax Rebate on Exports** | Can freelancers and micro-startups navigate the notoriously complex bureaucratic machinery to actually claim this benefit? |
| **NPR 500 Million Enterprise Fund** | Will this fund genuinely back collateral-free innovation, or will it default to traditional, asset-heavy banking requirements? |

Furthermore, the tech community points out that several chronic, systemic pain points remain largely unaddressed by this budget:

* The restrictive limitations of **International Payment Gateways**.
* A tedious, outdated **Intellectual Property (IP) Registration** process.
* A severe lack of seed funding and financial support for foundational **Research and Development (R&D)**.
* High barriers to seamless access for global cloud infrastructure and international digital financial tools.

The Upcoming Interaction Event

To bridge the gap between policy and practice, CAN Federation is hosting an interactive forum. The event will bring together government officials, policymakers, private sector leaders, tech entrepreneurs, financial experts, and economic journalists to dissect the realities of budget execution and map out the future of Nepal's digital economy.

Date: Wednesday, Asar 3, 2083 (Corresponding to **June 3, 2026)

Time: 04:00 PM – 05:30 PM
Venue:CAN Federation Secretariat, Khusibu, Kathmandu

Note for Media and Participants: Registration is open at the venue. The event aims to deliver a concrete set of recommendations to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.