World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025 for Early-stage startups, scale-ups, and SMEs – Opportunities For Africans

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Application Deadline: September 12, 2025, at 23:59 Central European Time (CET). I

Applications at the moment are open for the 2025 World Bank Group GovTech Innovation. Partner with the World Bank to develop digital options for Ghana Tax Administration this autumn.

Requirements

Early-stage startups, scale-ups, and SMEs that:

• Are legally included
• Have fewer than 75 workers
• Have underneath $5M USD in annual income
• Possess technical, operational, and enterprise experience related to the problem
• Have the capability to actively take part in problem actions

Benefits

Selected firms might be invited to take part within the following actions:

4-day GovTech Bootcamp in Switzerland

A hands-on program designed to foster innovation and collaboration

• Field Visits to Leading Institutions
  International Geneva, State of Vaud, EPFL, EPFL Innovation Park, SICPA, SGS, Kudelski and extra.
• Mentoring & Networking Opportunities
  Engage with area consultants and join with key stakeholders from the Swiss monetary sector.​
• Workshops on Public Sector Collaboration
  Covering B2G engagement, regulatory compliance, scalability planning, and proposal refinement in collaboration with the beneficiary nation.

Govtech Conference in Geneva

The flagship occasion hosted on the Geneva International Conference Centre, which is able to carry collectively over 500 attendees from throughout the general public and personal sectors

• Showcase of Top 3 Proposals
  Finalists current their progressive options to a world viewers.
• Insights from the Innovation Challenge
  Reflections on key learnings, challenges, and future Opportunities.
• Quantum in Public Administration: Quantum 101
  An accessible introduction to quantum applied sciences and their potential affect on authorities operations.
• Digital Trust in Public Sector Digitization
  Exploring frameworks that guarantee safe, clear, and trusted digital transformation.
• AI in Public Administration
  Panel discussions on cybersecurity, governance, and moral AI deployment in authorities.
• Resource Mobilization, Tax Administration & Digital TrustExamining how digital instruments are reshaping public finance and trust-building mechanisms.

Application Timeline

Submit your proposal: 28 Jul – 12 Sep

Outline proposed technical method, implementation methodology, and potential affect to handle the tax administration problem of Ghana Revenue Authority.

Information Sessions: 18 Aug- 12 Sep

Q&A format of on-line periods with Ghana Revenue Authority will present Opportunities to make clear technical necessities, talk about implementation approaches and acquire deeper insights into the specifics of taxation in Ghana.

Pitch Sessions: 15 Sep – 26 Sep

Present your proposal to the Selection Committee, which incorporates representatives from the World Bank, the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and Trust Valley companions from Geneva and the Canton of Vaud throughout the general public, personal, and educational sectors.

Final choice: 3 Oct

The Selection Committee will select Top 3 firms with one of the best proposals, which is able to obtain complete help to develop their proposals from preliminary idea to practical Proof of Concept (PoC)

GovTech Bootcamp & Conference in Switzerland: 2 Dec

Selected firms will take part in a 4-day program to construct capability in public-private collaboration and refine their Proof of Concepts with Ghana Revenue Authority and the World Bank

The program concludes with the businesses presenting their proposed options throughout a devoted session on the GovTech Conference

Prototyping: 2026

Following the Swiss ecosystem expertise, chosen firms will acquire a novel alternative to implement pilot answer for Ghana Revenue Administration

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the World Bank Group GovTech Innovation