Building a Sustainable Drone Ecosystem in Nepal for Jobs and Resilience

Nepal is among the pioneering countries to deploy drones on a large scale following major disasters.In the aftermath of the 2015 earthquake, drones were deployed for damage assessment and emergency response. Since then, drones have played a critical role in improving the speed and effectiveness of disaster response, from the 2021 Melamchi flash flood to the 2023 Jajarkot earthquake. Most recently, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the drone association to institutionalize the use of drones in disaster response efforts.

Drones are being increasingly used in Nepal for monitoring and risk mapping of large-scale infrastructure projects.

Drones are also being increasingly used in Nepal for monitoring and risk mapping of large-scale infrastructure projects.These include supporting the application of slope stabilization technologies in the Narayanghat-Muglin Road, preparing a Resettlement Action Plan for the Modernization of the Rani Jamara Kulariya Irrigation Project III, and designing a water supply transmission and distribution network under the Water Sector Governance and Infrastructure Support Project.

Aerial-based mapping and analysis for RAP preparation for the Modernization of Rani Jamara Kulariya Modernization Project (RJKIP III). Photo: World Bank

Drone applications in Nepal have expanded to a wide range of sectors, such as logistics, health, construction surveys, agriculture, environmental conservation, and entertainment. With growing access to smart and affordable technologies, drones can create job opportunities and make a significant contribution to the country's development and growth if harnessed effectively.

Despite the immense potential of drone applications, the drone ecosystem in Nepal continues to face major challenges.

Despite the immense potential of drone applications, the drone ecosystem in Nepal continues to face major challenges.These include an outdated regulatory framework, the lack of structured training and certification programs for drone professionals, and limited support for drone businesses and micro, small, and medium enterprises to grow and scale their innovations.

Supporting a drone-ready ecosystem for jobs and growth

To address these challenges, the World Bank's Drone Ecosystem Acceleration Program (DEAP) is supporting the safe and inclusive adoption of drones in Nepal. Launched in 2023, the program funded by the Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility takes a multi-layered approach to address critical pillars of the Nepal drone ecosystem. It focuses on strengthening governance, building foundational systems, and creating enabling conditions for long-term ecosystem growth by strengthening policy, and regulatory, institutional, sectoral, and individual capacities.

Pillars of the Nepal Drone Ecosystem supported by DEAP

Building capacity with a long-term vision

With a long-term vision of ensuring consistency and safety in drone operations, the DEAP has recommended a standardized drone training curriculum for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, and Khwopa Engineering College, the program trained 100 drone operators and 30 master trainers in areas such as piloting, drone systems, data analytics, and regulatory compliance.

In addition, the program provided technical assistance to higher education institutions, the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training, and the Civil Aviation Academy of Nepal to integrate drone technology into their curricula through undergraduate, postgraduate, and short-term professional courses. These efforts are aligned with international best practices and are critical for equipping the next generation with digital skills, helping to build a continuous pipeline of qualified drone professionals well beyond the program's lifespan.

Drone training for government officials

Policy dialogues and knowledge exchange to drive regulatory reforms

Through DEAP, the World Bank has supported policy dialogue to advance regulatory reforms in Nepal's drone ecosystem. Through initiatives such as the Drone Ecosystem and Regulatory Review Assessments, South-South knowledge exchanges, and multi-stakeholder engagements, the program has created platforms for regulators and stakeholders to share experiences and identify sectoral needs and regulatory priorities.

A key milestone on this front was the first South Asia Drone Forum hosted in Kathmandu on April 9-11, 2025 convening over 250 participants from the government, private sector, academia, and civil society from South Asia and beyond. The Forum generated meaningful dialogue on the potential of drones for resilient development and growth, while fostering regional collaboration, regulatory harmonization, and training standardization to support wider adoption of emerging technologies. It also enabled new partnerships and collaborations, including between the African Drone Forum and the Drone Federation of India, and between WeRobotics and Headstart Schools to establish the Pakistan Flying Labs.

The knowledge sharing and policy dialogues facilitated by DEAP have also led to the inclusion of drone regulation mandates in the draft Amended Civil Aviation Authority Bill and the draft Civil Aviation Policy.

Supporting drone entrepreneurs to scale innovative solutions

DEAP supported a drone showcase 'ELEVATE NEPAL' on August 15 -16, 2025, providing a platform for drone SMEs to showcase their innovative solutions and products to around 500 stakeholders.

During the event, seven drone companies/SMEs were selected to receive business mentorship support aimed at fostering their growth. This support includes masterclasses, coaching, technical assistance, and innovation funding. The selected SMEs operate across diverse areas such as drone manufacturing, repair and maintenance, mapping and surveying, logistics, disaster risk reduction, conservation and tourism, training, and cinematography. SME training focused on human-centered design, monitoring, evaluation and learning, regulatory environment and compliance, marketing and branding, innovation support and strategic planning, and investment readiness. In addition, a ten-day training on drones was organized for 45 youth of which 20 were selected for a three-month placement in drone companies, providing them with hands-on experience.

Youth learning about the possibilities of Drones at the "ELEVATE NEPAL" Drone Showcase

As the World Bank Group continues to back Nepal's journey towards job-creating growth, drones are the development tools hovering above us with limitless possibilities of supporting local entrepreneurs, creating jobs and building resilience. DEAP's initiatives can serve as a model for other countries to replicate to pursue development through emerging technologies.

Drones are the development tools hovering above us with limitless possibilities of supporting local entrepreneurs, creating jobs and building resilience. DEAP's initiatives can serve as a model for other countries to replicate to pursue development through emerging technologies.