Digitalization in Nepal
Digitalization In Nepal
Digitalization is the integration of digital technologies into businesses. It is mainly done to make business operations more effective, improve customer service, and develop other business aspects In other words, it describes the usage of digital technologies for offering new opportunities in business models and streams of revenues. Digitalization has become a global topic, placing technologies in nearly every part of our lives.
With advancements in technology, not only has the whole world undergone shifts, but so has traditional Nepal. From communication, education, finance, healthcare, and everywhere, Nepal has reached the age of digitalization.
What does this mean for Nepal? What are the effects we are seeing as a result of digitalization in Nepal? Let us look at how digitalization in Nepal has impacted the society here.
Communication
Technology has had its greatest impact in Nepal through communication, revolutionizing how people connect and share information. The percentage of people in Nepal who own smartphones is around a whopping 73% (According to the 2022 Census). The increased mobile penetration has made communication as easy as ever with cellular data available in most regions. The number of people using the internet is also at around 16 million at the start of 2023 with internet penetration at around 51.6% (Check source here).
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have proven crucial allowing people to stay connected, and share experiences and ideas. Digitalization in Nepal has bridged the gap between the urban and rural areas through internet connectivity.
Digitalization has also caused a revolution among the youth, with so many ideas being shared on the platforms. Online communities and advocacy groups have risen, empowering citizens to voice their opinions on social, political, and cultural issues. Through social media, people have been encouraged to pressure governments into doing the correct thing.
Education
Education is another factor that cannot be ignored. Digitalization in Nepal has also revolutionized the education sector. The COVID-19 pandemic forced many educational institutions to resort to online learning models to study. Due to this, online internet learning has become a more common and reliable way of studying. Platforms like Google Classroom, Zoom, Fuse, etc, have enabled teachers and students to be connected and continue academic activities even when not present in class.
All the vast study material on YouTube has proven valuable to many students not only in Nepal but also all over the globe. If you have internet, the amount of information on a certain topic is more than you could ever cover. Learning has never been easily accessible and flexible.
However, in rural areas, there’s still a divide that needs to be bridged. Since internet accessibility accounts for around half of the country, many students struggle with inadequate access to internet and digital services. It’s up to the government and organizations to ensure internet and cellular penetration all over the country without any hassles.
Fiance
Another major impact of Digitalization in Nepal is financial inclusion. Digitalization has given rise to mobile banking and digital payment platforms like eSewa which has made things so much more convenient. QR payment exists in nearly every business or shop. Nepal is slowly going cashless like other developed countries and such digital services help people make payments, transfer funds, etc easily. The physical dependency on financial institutions has dropped significantly through the adoption of digital services in Nepal, all thanks to digitalization.
Digitalization has given rise to E-commerce platforms and enabled entrepreneurs to create and grow businesses with minimal investment. The Internet has given a platform for Nepalese all over the globe.
Healthcare and Culture
The healthcare sector in Nepal has also seen benefits through digitalization. Telemedicine through e-commerce, online consulting, and digital records has made healthcare services more accessible. Digitalization has also improved the efficiency of healthcare services allowing information on people to be stored digitally.
The digital Nepalese bubble has provided spaces for cultural exchange and promoted co-existence. People from different religions express their culture, identity, and thoughts, exchanging ideas and arts. The online circle has helped promote cultural diversity, allowing cultures and traditions to be discovered all over the globe.
Conclusion
The Digital shift is essential for a country like Nepal where infrastructure is still being developed. While digitalization in Nepal has brought many positive changes in Nepali society, it also presents significant challenges. There is a divide between people who have access to digital technology and those who do not. Rural areas face slow to little development, and there are places where even electricity isn’t reliable. The divide brings about more inequalities in opportunities.
Misinformation and cyber security issues are a growing concern in the online space. Cause of online fraud, identity theft, scams, data breaches, cyberbullying, and misinformation are running rampant in the Nepalese web bubble. This highlights the need for stronger cyber laws and overseeing to bring down the numbers. Although digitalization keeps everyone well informed, just a single piece of wrong information can change narratives and spread like wildfire.
However, it’s not only Nepal that has access to the internet. Global cultural trends can influence and overshadow the local traditions of Nepal. Youths are easily influenced by global pop culture, leading people to fear losing their traditional values.
Digital literature seems essential for people of all ages in Nepal. While the benefits are numerous, including increased financial inclusion, improved access to education, and better connectivity, challenges such as the digital divide, cybersecurity issues, and cultural shifts must also be addressed. And now with the advent of AI, we should be well prepared.