NEF Pushes 6-Point Policy Framework for Nepal Ride-Hailing and Gig Economy
Updated
Updated · technologykhabar.com · Jun 22
NEF Pushes 6-Point Policy Framework for Nepal Ride-Hailing and Gig Economy
2 articles · Updated · technologykhabar.com · Jun 22
Summary
Kathmandu’s NEFtalk brought policymakers, business leaders and development experts together to press for a coherent national framework for Nepal’s fast-growing ride-hailing and gig economy.
Six policy principles outlined by National Planning Commission member Pukar Malla centered on legal clarity, federal-provincial harmonization, worker protection and social security inclusion, rider skill certification, digital formalization and evidence-based regulation.
Speakers said ride-hailing now reaches beyond transport, supporting tourism, SMEs, urban mobility and youth income, while eDriveNepal’s Rajesh Maskey argued Nepal could become a South Asian e-mobility leader if rules stay clear and competition remains healthy.
Panelists from Daraz, the World Bank Group and the legal sector warned that fragmented provincial and federal rules, weak social protection and safety risks for gig workers could slow growth unless workers remain central to policy design.
NEF closed by pledging further research and dialogue with government and private-sector stakeholders, framing the platform economy as a practical route to more formal and inclusive job creation.
With 300,000 gig workers in Kathmandu alone, can Nepal's new policies prevent a nationwide social security crisis?
Can Nepal’s digital economy boom when rural internet connectivity is as low as 14 percent?
Formalizing the Gig Economy in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges Under the 2082 (2026) Digital Mobility Service Operation Standards
Overview
Nepal's gig economy is quickly changing the country's economic and social landscape by creating new ways for people to earn income and access services. As this sector grows, there is a clear need for formal rules and regulations to address both opportunities and challenges, especially around worker welfare and safety. The government has responded by proposing the Digital Mobility Service Operation Standards 2082 (2026), which aim to legalize and organize ride-hailing services nationwide. These standards are designed to bring structure to the sector, ensuring safer, fairer, and more reliable digital mobility services for everyone.