04/29/2026
“Nepal’s energy future is no longer just about power generation! It is about market formation, investment readiness, and regional competitiveness.”
On April 28 in Pokhara, we convened a high-level CEO Dialogue on “Energy Security, Market Formation, and Trade” as part of the U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series, supported by U.S. Embassy, Nepal.
Co-led by International Development Institute (IDI) and Aadyanta Advisory, in collaboration with Amcham Nepal, Confederation of Nepalese Industries, and Nepal Young Entrepreneurs' Forum, the session brought together business leaders, policymakers, investors, academia, and entrepreneurs to engage in a candid, solutions-oriented conversation.
The dialogue also reflected the core spirit of U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy—leveraging American innovation, global best practices, and a shared commitment to transparency, efficiency, and entrepreneurship to strengthen Nepal’s investment ecosystem.
At the center of the dialogue was Dr. Madan Uprety — a U.S.-based infrastructure finance leader advancing over $1.2B in hydropower investments (~1,000 MW) in Nepal through diaspora-linked capital.
What stood out most from the dialogue was the clear shift from viewing energy as a supply issue to understanding it as a system-wide market challenge. Dr. Uprety grounded the conversation in ex*****on realities—highlighting why hydropower projects often stall due to weak data integrity, collateral-heavy financing structures, contract enforcement gaps, and a shortage of skilled engineers. At the same time, he pointed to encouraging signs of progress, with approval timelines shrinking significantly and greater institutional responsiveness emerging. The discussion also pushed the room to think beyond generation—toward demand creation, including data centers and industrial corridors, and regional energy trade as a pathway to absorb surplus. Perhaps most compelling was the emphasis on the diaspora as a strategic lever, not just for capital, but for bringing global practices, discipline, and networks into Nepal’s infrastructure ecosystem.
Reflecting both global experience and locally grounded insight, Dr. Uprety noted, “Nepal’s energy transition is not just about generating power—it is about building markets, unlocking capital, and aligning systems to deliver at scale. The opportunity is real, but ex*****on will define whether we lead or lag.”
The CEO Dialogue Series continues to serve as a practical platform moving beyond conversations to connections, commitments, and catalytic action.
CEO Dialogue Series, part of the U.S.–Nepal Commercial Diplomacy Series, is an initiative of the U.S. Embassy Nepal, co-led by International Development Institute (IDI) and Aadyanta Advisory, in partnership with AmCham Nepal.
Designed as a practical, action-oriented platform for senior business leaders, the series convenes U.S. CEOs, founders, investors, policymakers, and diaspora experts to address Nepal’s most pressing economic challenges.
