BRUSSELS, April 28: Stakeholders from Nepal and the European Union (EU) have called for strengthened cooperation in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, highlighting Nepal’s growing potential as a digital innovation hub.
The call was made during the Nepal–EU Tech Forum 2026, organized at the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) on Monday by the Embassy of Nepal in Brussels in collaboration with Genese Solution. The forum brought together policymakers, investors, tech entrepreneurs, and members of the Nepali diaspora.
Under the theme “Unlocking Digital Innovation and Investment,” participants discussed opportunities in foreign direct investment (FDI), digital talent mobility, and innovation partnerships between Nepal and Europe.
In her opening remarks, Nepal’s Ambassador to the EU Sewa Lamsal said Nepal is ready to accelerate its digital transformation and welcomes increased investment in the ICT sector. She highlighted Nepal’s expanding IT service exports and a growing pool of skilled professionals as key strengths.
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Delivering a keynote address, Anjani Phuyal, CEO of Genese Solution, said Europe is facing a shortage of over one million tech professionals amid rising costs and stricter compliance requirements, pushing companies to seek talent globally, including South Asia. He said Nepal’s clean hydropower and emerging digital workforce make it a strong partner for ICT collaboration.
He added that Nepal can serve as a “clean compute hub” with AI-ready energy infrastructure, noting that global firms are already building and scaling teams in Nepal.
European Commission representative European Commission official Alvis Ancans presented the EU’s digital policy priorities, including data protection, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital sovereignty under its “Digital Decade” strategy.
Senior Nepali officials, including Investment Board Nepal CEO Sushil Gyewali and Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Adesh Khadka, joined virtually and highlighted recent policy reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and strengthening digital transformation.
The forum also featured two panel discussions on investment, startups, diaspora engagement, and cross-border innovation. Speakers stressed the need to move Nepal’s tech sector from “potential to execution,” with Europe providing capital and market access while Nepal contributes scalable talent.
Participants further emphasized hydropower-driven green AI infrastructure, stronger university partnerships, and improved business environments, including eased investment rules and profit repatriation.
The event concluded with networking sessions and a certificate distribution ceremony. More than 70 participants from tech companies, academia, and the Nepali diaspora attended the forum.
