Ncell marks its 19th anniversary, launches new Foundation to boost CSR

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 17: Ncell, Nepal’s first private sector GSM mobile service provider, has announced the launch of a new Foundation to manage its corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. The announcement was made today at the program held in the capital to celebrate its19th anniversary. 

So far, Ncell claims to have contributed over $2.15 billion through social initiatives in sectors such as health, education, and the environment, directly and indirectly benefiting more than 13 million Nepali people. Ncell's CEO, Jabbor Kayumov, stated, "It was/is crucial for us to move forward with CSR-related projects/activities in a more systematic, uniform and efficient way. As such, we decided to come up with a novel idea of the Ncell Foundation."

The Foundation's vision is to support the country in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its key objectives include assisting those most in need, reducing the digital divide, and promoting a healthier, more prosperous Nepal.

According to Ncell, it has a long-standing record of conducting meaningful social initiatives in the public interest. "For instance, in response to the 2015 earthquake,  we donated NPR 100 million to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to aid affected families and provided NPR 1.6 billion worth of free services to help customers stay in contact with their families (during the disaster)," states the company. 

Similarly, the telco is said to have contributed NPR 100 million to the government’s COVID-19 relief fund, which was established to prevent, control, and treat the virus.

During the anniversary event, Ncell committed to investing at least NPR 200 million in social initiatives over the next five years. Likewise, it honoured para-athlete Palesha Govardhan, who made history by winning Nepal’s first-ever medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

The company also introduced the "Nineteen for Nineteen" project as part of its anniversary celebration. Under this initiative, 11 social projects will be implemented across all seven provinces, with each project receiving NPR 1 million in seed funding. 

Meanwhile, to mark the anniversary, the Ncell Foundation is holding a variety of programs, including tree planting, distribution of educational materials, health camps, cervical cancer screenings, blood donation drives, and skill-building camps. 

As one of Nepal’s largest taxpayers, Ncell is said to have paid over NPR 320 billion in taxes and fees to the government since its inception some 2 decades back.