GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025 | World Bank & Ghana Revenue Authority. The GovTech Innovation Challenge is a pilot programme connecting government partners with innovative technology companies to address critical public sector challenges. This initiative mobilises startups and SMEs to develop practical solutions that enhance government efficiency, transparency, and citizen services through digital transformation.
This inaugural challenge partners the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) with global technology firms to develop solutions for tax administration challenges in Ghana. Three selected companies will participate in a development programme designed to in functional prototypes and potential implementation pathways.
The Innovation Challenge is a joint initiative of the World Bank, Swiss State Secretariat for
Economic Affairs (SECO) and Trust Valley (operated by EPFL Innovation Park Foundation).
This programme is su
Eligibility
The Innovation Challenge is exclusively open to early-stage startups, scale-ups, and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) at the international level.
Large corporations, multinational enterprises and subsidiaries of major corporations are not
eligible to participate.
To qualify for participation, applicant companies must satisfy all of the following mandatory
criteria:
● Have fewer than 75 employees at the time of application
● Have annual revenue below $5 million USD (or equivalent value in local currency) for the
most recent financial year
● Demonstrate proven team capability and relevant industry experience applicable to the
challenge domain
● Commit to active participation in pilot programme implementation and agree to
comprehensive data sharing requirements with programme partners
● Align organisational mission and proposed solutions with governmental technology
advancement and measurable social impact objectives
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.
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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 TrustExamining how digital tools are reshaping public finance and trust-building mechanisms.
How to Apply
To participate in the Innovation Challenge, companies must submit comprehensive proposals for GRA’s Challenge Statements through the official application portal. Companies are welcome to submit proposals for both challenges but must submit separate applications for each. Proposals must tackle one or all of the challenge areas identified in the challenge statements.
For more Information: Visit the website for GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025
