Kathmandu . Minister for Communications, Information and Technology, Jagdish Kharel, on Monday visited the Ncell Integrated Data Centre (IDC) located in Nakkhu, Lalitpur. He was welcomed by Ncell Chairman Satish Lal Acharya, CEO Michael Foley, and other members of the Executive Management Team.
During the meeting after IDC tour, the Ncell Chairman and CEO briefed Minister Kharel about Ncell, its services, contribution to the economy, and the impact of the recent Gen Z movement. Ncell has suffered a loss of around Rs. 650 million due to the protest, which caused severe damage to several of its facilities, including the head office, Ncell ICON in Kathmandu.
Minister Kharel appreciated Ncell’s role in the development of the telecommunications sector and its contribution to the national economy. He assured the government’s support and urged Ncell to expand its services in the Everest region and ensure that quality service is available at an affordable price in rural areas of the country.
“I am saddened by the loss of around Rs. 650 million caused to Ncell during the Gen Z movement. The government is committed to creating an environment conducive for investment in Nepal, especially foreign direct investment (FDI). We should promote investment. The government is with Ncell,” he said. He also applauded Ncell’s plan to launch a Gen Z Pack for students and the company’s initiative to set up a fund to provide scholarships to 100 students annually.
In the meeting, Ncell CEO Foley announced nationwide scholarships for 100 Secondary Education Examination (SEE)–appearing students every year and committed a fund of Rs. 10 million for this social initiative. “In line with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology’s suggestion, and our commitment to making services easily accessible to youth, we are soon launching a Gen Z Pack for students to address their communication service requirements,” he said.
Foley reiterated that Ncell remains committed to serving Nepal with renewed determination and resilience, supporting the government’s aspiration of building a Digital Nepal. He said that the Ncell IDC is one of the major backbones of the digitalization drive and every connection Ncell builds empowers individuals, businesses, and communities to create a positive and lasting impact.
For over 20 years, Ncell has been an integral part of Nepal’s transformation journey in the information and communication technology sector, working alongside the Nepali people by creating jobs, driving economic growth, and contributing toward the vision of Digital Nepal. As one of the largest taxpayers in Nepal, Ncell has contributed nearly Rs. 360 billion in taxes and fees as of fiscal year 2024/25, supporting the Government of Nepal in public financing. The company has supported around 100,000 jobs directly and indirectly across the country.
Beyond its core services, Ncell remains equally dedicated to contributing to society. Through the Ncell Foundation and its CSR initiatives, the company has invested more than Rs. 2 billion in social projects focused on education, environment, and health, supporting the government’s efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
