World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge 2025

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About World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge

Partner with the World Bank to develop digital solutions for Ghana Tax Administration this autumn.

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 technical functionality of the proposal
• Proceed to the practical implementation with a specific government

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

Read Full Challenge Statement

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

Read Full Challenge Statement

• Sponsor Organisation: World Bank

Benefits of World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge

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

World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge Requirements

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

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to submit your proposal.

See Application Guidelines

Application Deadline

12 September, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

View details of World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge

Apply for World Bank Group GovTech Innovation Challenge