The World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025 is here!
The World Bank is offering African startups, businesses, and SMEs an opportunity to partner to develop digital solutions for the Ghana Tax Administration this autumn.
Selected companies will be invited to participate in a 4-day GovTech Bootcamp in Switzerland, including several other benefits such as mentorship, funding, workshops, and conferences.
This post will serve as your guide to know more about the World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025, including how to apply for it.
World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025 Summary
- Host: World Bank
- Category: Competitions | Training
- Eligible Countries: African Countries
- Reward: Sponsored Trip to Switzerland | Mentorship & Networking Opportunities
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: September 12, 2025
- Scholarship Alerts: To receive Scholarship Alerts on WhatsApp, Click HERE
World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025 Benefits:
Selected companies will be invited to participate in the following activities:
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 more. - Mentoring & Networking Opportunities
Engage with domain experts and connect with key stakeholders from the Swiss financial sector. - Workshops on Public Sector Collaboration
Covering B2G engagement, regulatory compliance, scalability planning, and proposal refinement in collaboration with the beneficiary country.
Govtech Conference in Geneva
The flagship event hosted at the Geneva International Conference Centre, which will bring together over 500 attendees from across the public and private sectors
- Showcase of Top 3 Proposals
Finalists present their innovative solutions to a global audience. - Insights from the Innovation Challenge
Reflections on key learnings, challenges, and future opportunities. - Quantum in Public Administration: Quantum 101
An accessible introduction to quantum technologies and their potential impact on government operations. - Digital Trust in Public Sector Digitization
Exploring frameworks that ensure secure, transparent, and trusted digital transformation. - AI in Public Administration
Panel discussions on cybersecurity, governance, and ethical AI deployment in government. - Resource Mobilization, Tax Administration & Digital Trust: Examining how digital tools are reshaping public finance and trust-building mechanisms.
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Requirements for World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025
To be considered for the World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025, you must be an Early-stage startup, scale-up, and SME that:
- Be legally incorporated
- Have fewer than 75 employees
- Have under $5M USD in annual revenue
- Possess technical, operational, and business expertise relevant to the challenge
- Have the capacity to actively participate in challenge activities
Application Timeline
Submit your proposal: 28 Jul – 12 Sep
Outline proposed technical approach, implementation methodology, and potential impact to address the tax administration challenge of Ghana Revenue Authority.
Information Sessions: 18 Aug- 12 Sep
Q&A format of online sessions with Ghana Revenue Authority will provide opportunities to clarify technical requirements, discuss implementation approaches and gain deeper insights into the specifics of taxation in Ghana.
Pitch Sessions: 15 Sep – 26 Sep
Present your proposal to the Selection Committee, which includes representatives from the World Bank, the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and Trust Valley partners from Geneva and the Canton of Vaud across the public, private, and academic sectors.
Final selection: 3 Oct
The Selection Committee will choose Top 3 companies with the best proposals, which will receive comprehensive support to develop their proposals from initial concept to functional Proof of Concept (PoC)
GovTech Bootcamp & Conference in Switzerland: 2 Dec
Selected companies will participate in a 4-day program to build capacity in public-private collaboration and refine their Proof of Concepts with Ghana Revenue Authority and the World Bank
The program concludes with the companies presenting their proposed solutions during a dedicated session at the GovTech Conference
Prototyping: 2026
Following the Swiss ecosystem experience, selected companies will gain a unique opportunity to implement a pilot solution for the Ghana Revenue Administration
How to Apply for World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025 (Step by Step)
To apply for the World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025, interested and qualified candidates should use the button below to submit their application.
Deadline: August 4, 2025
Visit HERE to check out many more Scholarship opportunities.
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