Innovative Successes from Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe Wins Spotlight at WSIS+20
In the heart of Geneva, the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) High-Level Event 2025 is underway, attracting more than 150 countries this year. As the summit marks its 20th anniversary, it celebrates two decades of global efforts to build people-centered, equitable information societies.
The WSIS Prizes, a significant part of the event, recognise standout innovations that address real-world challenges through technology. This year, several African winners have been honoured in various categories, showcasing the continent's digital progress and potential.
One of the most notable winners is ZTE's "Signal Reach Program," which was awarded the prestigious WSIS Champion Award in the category of ICT cultural diversity. This program, implemented in Africa, was the only Chinese enterprise to receive this honour, highlighting its role in advancing digital inclusion and sustainable development in Africa.
Zimbabwe also made a strong showing at the summit, with the Usawa Institute Trust winning a global award at WSIS+20. This recognition marks Zimbabwe as a top honoree at the event.
Nigeria's National Communications Commission (NCC) was another notable winner, earning the 2025 WSIS Prize for Access to Information and Knowledge. The Digital Awareness Programme spearheaded by the NCC was the reason for Nigeria's recognition.
Tanzania also stood out, with the PharmAccess Foundation Zanzibar receiving an international award at WSIS+20. The accolade was officially accepted by Zanzibar's Minister of Health, highlighting the country's commitment to digital innovation in healthcare. Tanzania's A New Era in Zanzibar's Healthcare initiative, which introduces digital unique IDs to improve access, transparency, and quality of health services, was the winning entry.
While the detailed list of winners by each category for all African entrants is not fully provided in the available sources, these highlights reflect key African recognitions at the WSIS+20 High-Level Event.
In South Africa, the Digitech initiative, a Department of Communications and Digital Technologies project, uplifts homegrown tech innovation. Among the 19 winners announced this year, Nigeria was recognised in the Access to Information and Knowledge category.
The WSIS+20 event continues through July 11, setting the tone for global digital cooperation in the years to come. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin praised the awards as a showcase of how technology, tailored to local needs, can transform societies.
The 2025 forum of WSIS is hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Swiss Confederation. As the summit concludes, it leaves behind a renewed sense of global digital cooperation and a promise of continued innovation and progress.
The WSIS Prizes, a significant part of the event, recognise standout innovations that address real-world challenges through technology. This year, several African winners have been honoured in various categories, showcasing the continent's digital progress and potential, such as ZTE's "Signal Reach Program" which was awarded the WSIS Champion Award and Nigeria's National Communications Commission (NCC) for the 2025 WSIS Prize for Access to Information and Knowledge in education-and-self-development and general-news.
