GovTech Innovation Challenge
A shared vision
How can governments in developing countries make their services more efficient and transparent? This was the main focus of the GovTech Innovation Challenge, a joint programme run by SECO, the World Bank and Trust Valley (a Swiss network of companies and universities specialising in new information technologies).
How can governments in developing countries make their services more efficient and transparent? This was the main focus of the GovTech Innovation Challenge, a joint programme run by SECO, the World Bank and Trust Valley (a Swiss network of companies and universities specialising in new information technologies).
Innovations for the public sector
The competition encourages young entrepreneurs to develop digital solutions to make public services in developing countries more effective. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data and cloud computing are utilised. The aim is to enable government to work more efficiently and transparently, reduce bureaucracy, combat corruption and, overall, provide better services to citizens.
The competition encourages young entrepreneurs to develop digital solutions to make public services in developing countries more effective. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data and cloud computing are utilised. The aim is to enable government to work more efficiently and transparently, reduce bureaucracy, combat corruption and, overall, provide better services to citizens.
Focus on Ghana
The first competition was held in 2025. The challenge given was to find ways to modernise the tax collection system in Ghana to generate greater tax revenue and streamline administrative processes. How can income in the informal sector be identified and registered? How can taxpayers in the e-commerce sector be identified? How can compliance with VAT obligations be ensured? Technology companies from Switzerland and around the world submitted a total of 136 proposed solutions.
The first competition was held in 2025. The challenge given was to find ways to modernise the tax collection system in Ghana to generate greater tax revenue and streamline administrative processes. How can income in the informal sector be identified and registered? How can taxpayers in the e-commerce sector be identified? How can compliance with VAT obligations be ensured? Technology companies from Switzerland and around the world submitted a total of 136 proposed solutions.
Bringing ideas to fruition
The start-ups with the most promising solutions took part in a workshop in Switzerland, at the heart of the Trust Valley ecosystem. There, they refined their ideas, worked with experts and built bridges between innovation, technology and public service.
The start-ups with the most promising solutions took part in a workshop in Switzerland, at the heart of the Trust Valley ecosystem. There, they refined their ideas, worked with experts and built bridges between innovation, technology and public service.
International recognition
On 2 December 2025, the World Bank and SECO honoured the best ideas in Geneva. These innovative and promising approaches will be shared with the World Bank so that other countries can also benefit. The GovTech Innovation Challenge demonstrates how Switzerland’s strengths in the digital sphere can contribute to sustainable development. Switzerland is thus reaffirming its commitment to competent, accountable and inclusive public institutions in developing countries.
On 2 December 2025, the World Bank and SECO honoured the best ideas in Geneva. These innovative and promising approaches will be shared with the World Bank so that other countries can also benefit. The GovTech Innovation Challenge demonstrates how Switzerland’s strengths in the digital sphere can contribute to sustainable development. Switzerland is thus reaffirming its commitment to competent, accountable and inclusive public institutions in developing countries.
Guy Parmelin
Federal Council
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GovTech Innovation Challenge
GovTech Innovation Challenge
