Impacts of the Digital Divide on the E-government Portals of Nepal

Abstract

Several countries have been advancing to develop and enrich e-government platforms to effectively deliver government services to the public. Since the 1970s, Nepal has realized the potentials of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for effective and efficient government service delivery. By introducing several ICT policies and programs, the Government of Nepal seeks to provide government services through e-government platforms and contribute to the national economy by 2030. This chapter assesses the current situation of e-government platforms with regard to their capability and readiness to deliver government services. Employing Layne and Lee’s four-stage model of e-government development, this chapter observes the official websites of 22 federal ministries of Nepal, and finds that the digital divide seriously affects Nepal’s efforts of government service delivery through digital platforms.