Nepal will require an estimated Rs 21.17 trillion in total investment to meet its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, according to a report released by the National Planning Commission (NPC).
The report, titled “Sustainable Development Goals: Needs Identification, Cost Estimation and Fiscal Strategy, 2081”, was unveiled on Sunday, April 20.
It estimates that the country will need to invest an average of Rs 3.02 trillion annually from 2024 through 2030 to fulfill its SDG commitments.
The largest share of this investment—about 24%—is needed for Goal 9, which centers on building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. Goal 7 (affordable and clean energy) will require 12%, while 11% of the estimated funding would be allocated for Goal 1, which aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms.
To meet this enormous funding need, the NPC has outlined a fiscal strategy that taps into a mix of public, private, cooperative, and household resources.
Public financing is expected to cover 57.5 percent of the total cost, with 70% of that coming from the federal government, 21% from the local governments and 9% from provincial governments.
The private sector is projected to contribute 34.35%, while cooperatives and NGOs are expected to add 4.18%. Households are anticipated to account for the remaining 3.95%.
NPC Vice Chair Prof. Dr. Shiva Raj Adhikari emphasized the need for exploring alternative funding sources, such as blended finance and climate finance, to bridge the investment gap.
The report also highlights the need for policy and structural reforms to accelerate SDG progress. It recommends a comprehensive review of economic, policy, and legal frameworks, improved resource mobilization (including enhanced foreign aid coordination), cost-effective public spending, and broader access to technology.
Additionally, the report calls for a reassessment of Nepal’s SDG implementation strategy in light COVID-19 pandemic, demographic shifts, urbanization, migration, rising inequality, and climate change impacts.
(With inputs from RSS)
