Application Deadline: 12 Sepetember 2025
Call for Applications: World Bank GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025
GovTech Innovation Challenge Overview
The World Bank’s Institutions Global Department, in collaboration with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs in Switzerland (SECO) and Trust Valley, presents the GovTech Innovation Challenge. Launched in May 2025, during the GovTech Global Forum, this initiative accelerates technology adoption in government services by leveraging the Swiss digital trust ecosystem. Supported by the World Bank Trust Fund’s Governance & Institutions Umbrella Program, this pilot program offers a dynamic platform for testing innovative technological solutions in the public sector.
The inaugural challenge focuses on the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), connecting them with cutting-edge companies to tackle specific tax administration challenges. Through a competitive application process, global technology firms will propose solutions to these pre-defined issues, aiming to enhance government efficiency, transparency, and responsiveness.
Selected participants will attend an intensive boot camp in Switzerland’s Trust Valley, a hub for digital trust innovation. There, they will refine their solutions and gain valuable skills in public-private collaboration through workshops, expert mentorship, and networking events
Key Program Benefits
- World Bank Partnership – Get exposure to public sector clients having support from the World Bank
- GovTech Capacity Building – Get executive level training in Switzerland on key public-private collaboration aspects
- Public Sector Engagement – Design proof of concept for specific tax administration issues with Ghana Revenue Authority
Program Objectives
Creating a platform for private companies to design and test innovative digital solutions for the public sector to enhance government efficiency, transparency, and citizen services.
- Select Top 3 best proposals globally to address specific GovTech Challenge
- Develop a Proof of Concept to demonstrate proposal’s technical feasibility
- Proceed to the practical implementation with a specific government
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.
This Year’s Challenge:
Improving Tax Resource Mobilisation in Ghana
Ghana needs more resources to improve public services and build essential infrastructure. According to Afrobarometer, 79% of Ghanaians support paying taxes to help develop their country rather than relying on foreign aid. But despite this strong public support, tax collection remains low compared to other countries in the region. Many government systems still lack the capacity to reach everyone effectively. By designing simple, smart tax solutions, you can help Ghana unlock more domestic revenue and ensure better services for its citizens.
Informal Sector Taxation
Design software solutions to identify, assess and incentivise sole proprietors to register and comply with their tax obligations. The challenge focuses on identifying new taxpayers and improving compliance among existing ones, particularly with regard to income tax.
Your proposal should consist of one or more of the following elements:
- Innovative methods for identifying informal sector businesses and sole proprietors as eligible taxpayers
- Mobile-first solutions tailored for low-tech environments in underserved remote communities
- Simplification of digital registration, tax education, and tax filling processes
E-Commerce Taxation
Design software solution to identify companies operating in the digital services sector and monitor digital transactions to ensure registration and compliance with tax obligations.
The challenge focuses on automated VAT taxpayers registration, enabling a seamless, end-to-end compliance process.
Your proposal should consist of one or more of the following elements:
- Automated identification of domestic e-commerce businesses (digital sevices provided by non-residents is a plus)
- Real-time monitoring of online transactions through payment service providers for upfront VAT deduction
- Comprehensive transaction and compliance verification
Program Timeline
Submit your proposal
Outline proposed technical approach, implementation methodology, and potential impact to address the tax administration challenge of Ghana Revenue Authority.
28 Jul – 12 Sep
Information Sessions
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.
18 Aug- 12 Sep
Pitch Sessions
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.
15 Sep – 26 Sep
Final selection
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)
3 Oct
GovTech Bootcamp & Conference in Switzerland
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
2 Dec
Prototyping
Following the Swiss ecosystem experience, selected companies will gain a unique opportunity to implement pilot solution for Ghana Revenue Administration
2026
Who can apply?
Early-stage startups, scale-ups, and SMEs that:
- Are 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
VISIT THE PAGE HERE AND APPLY
Join our WhatsApp group and Telegram group to receive more opportunities
Visit our social media pages on LinkedIn and Facebook
