Toward a Socio-Technical Framework for Digital Equity: Addressing Inequality in Nepal's Federalized E-Governance

Title: Toward a Socio-Technical Framework for Digital Equity: Addressing Inequality in Nepal’s Federalized E-Governance Subtitle: A Comparative Analysis of Bagmati and Karnali Provinces Abstract: This research paper addresses the persistent "uptake gap" in digital public services within transitioning economies, with a specific focus on Nepal’s federalized structure. By conducting a comparative analysis between the digitally advanced Bagmati Province and the marginalized Karnali Province, the study identifies how socio-technical barriers—such as grid instability, human resource flight, and digital trust—hinder equitable service delivery. The paper proposes a shift from infrastructure-centric models toward a multi-dimensional Socio-Technical Framework that integrates institutional readiness with citizen-centric trust mechanisms. Context & Significance: Drawing on the author’s 11 years of field experience as an ICT4D consultant with the UNDP and World Bank, this work provides a practitioner-researcher perspective on localized digital transformation. It builds upon previous research regarding governance readiness and aims to provide a scalable roadmap for inclusive digital impact in the Global South. Keywords: ICT4D, Digital Inequality, Socio-Technical Framework, E-Governance, Federalism in Nepal, Bagmati Province, Karnali Province, Digital Trust, Institutional Readiness, Digital Divide