Regulatory & Policy Pulse Index
Live tracking of Nepal's regulatory environment for infrastructure developers, DFI analysts, and carbon-credit originators. Every event is sourced and dated.
FATF Grey-List Status — Blacklist Risk Escalation
Grey-listed Feb 21, 2025. 15-point action plan. APG delegation visited May 18–20, 2026 and explicitly warned of blacklist risk. NRA report still incomplete. Deadline: February 2027.
Regulatory Impact Timeline
Key regulatory events affecting Nepal's investment and infrastructure landscape, ordered chronologically with impact severity.
FATF Grey-Listing
Nepal placed on FATF grey list. 15-point action plan. 2-year deadline.
Supreme Court Hydro Ruling
242 projects (16,735 MW) in protected areas face legal uncertainty.
NRB Policy Rate Cut
Rate cut from 4.50% to 4.25%. Easing cycle continues.
NEA Unbundling Announced
Government splits NEA into generation/transmission/distribution. 30-year structural reform.
SEBON Chair Resignation
Fourth chair in two years. 32 hydropower companies stuck 22+ months.
LDC Deferral Filed
Formal request to postpone graduation to November 2029.
APG Blacklist Warning
APG delegation explicitly warned Nepal of blacklist risk during Kathmandu visit.
Source: FATF, NRB, MoEWRI, Supreme Court, SEBON, UN CDP, APG · Updated: May 2026
Key Regulatory Metrics
Core indicators drawn from the Intelligence CMS. Each metric is sourced, dated, and reviewed by the Dashboard Team.
FATF Action Plan Points
Source: FATF / APG · Updated: May 20, 2026
FATF Grey List Status
Source: FATF / APG · Updated: May 20, 2026
FITTA Approved Sectors
Source: DoI / FITTA 2019 · Updated: May 26, 2026
LDC Graduation Deferral
Source: UN CDP / Government of Nepal · Updated: May 13, 2026
NEA Unbundling Status
Source: Government of Nepal / MoEWRI · Updated: Mar 30, 2026
LDC Graduation Monitor
Nepal's Least Developed Country graduation status — deferral request, economic impact, and DFI implications.
LDC Graduation — Deferral Pending
Status
Formal deferral request filed May 13, 2026
Requested Postponement
November 2029
Approval Authority
UN CDP approval required — original November 2026 deadline stands until confirmed.
Economic Impact (ILO Estimate)
- 132,000 jobs at risk
- ~USD 1 B GDP loss over 5 years
- 2.5–4.3 % of exports affected
DFI Context
LDC graduation removes preferential tariff access and automatic additionality shield for carbon credits.
Source: UN CDP / ILO / Government of Nepal · Updated: May 13, 2026
Cross-Border Trade Policy
Key investment and trade frameworks governing foreign capital, power exports, and infrastructure thresholds.
Trade & Investment Policy Register
| Policy | Current Status | Impact Level | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| FITTA 2019 | 102 sectors open to FDI | Medium | Foreign Investment and Technology Transfer Act |
| India Power Trade | Active via PPA mechanism | High | NEA and Indian counterparts |
| Cross-Border Transmission | Butwal–Gorakhpur 400 kV under construction | High | Enables 1,500 MW export capacity |
| Investment Board Nepal | Active | Medium | Projects above NPR 6 B threshold |
Source: FITTA 2019, NEA, Investment Board Nepal · Updated: May 2026
Compliance Checklist
Essential regulatory requirements for infrastructure and energy projects in Nepal.
FATF / AML
- RBeneficial ownership disclosureRequired
- RCustomer due diligenceRequired
- RSTR filingRequired
Companies Act
- RBoard compositionRequired
- RAGM requirementsRequired
- RAuditor appointmentRequired
FITTA
- RRegistration with DoIRequired
- RRepatriation approvalRequired
- OTechnology transfer agreementRecommended
Environmental
- RIEE / EIA approvalRequired
- RForest clearanceRequired
- RWater use permitRequired
Source: NRB, Companies Act 2063, FITTA 2019, MoFE · Updated: May 2026
Open Consultation Tracker
Public regulatory consultations and comment periods from Nepal's financial and energy regulators.
Active regulatory consultations will be listed here as they are published by SEBON, NRB, and MoEWRI.
Updated via the Intelligence Console by the research team.