Four African countries — Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe — have received global recognition for their digital innovation efforts at the WSIS+20 High-Level Forum taking place this week in Geneva, Switzerland.
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), now in its 20th year, is the United Nations’ main platform for digital cooperation and policy dialogue. This year’s edition has brought together more than 150 countries to review progress since the first WSIS in 2005 and to outline priorities ahead of a UN General Assembly review later this year.
At the event, hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Swiss government, 19 projects were announced as winners of the WSIS Prizes, which honour practical initiatives that use technology to tackle real-world challenges.
Nigeria was recognised in the Access to Information and Knowledge category for its Digital Awareness Programme, run by the Nigerian Communications Commission. According to the organisers, the initiative has helped bridge the digital divide in underserved communities by providing training and tools to expand digital literacy.
South Africa won in the Enabling Environment category for its Digitech programme, a government-backed effort to promote local technology developers and digital products. Officials say the platform has supported startups and encouraged homegrown solutions, boosting the visibility of South African tech companies.
Zimbabwe’s Usawa Institute received the Media category award for its Girls Speak Out project, which trains girls in coding and digital storytelling. The grassroots initiative aims to give young women in marginalised communities better access to technology and opportunities in the digital economy.
Tanzania was named a winner in the E-Health category for its New Era in Zanzibar’s Healthcare project, an initiative led by PharmAccess. By introducing digital unique IDs for patients, the programme aims to improve access, transparency, and efficiency in health service delivery. Speaking at the event, Dr. Heri Marwa of PharmAccess Tanzania said the project is helping to modernise healthcare systems on the islands.
Speaking on the sidelines of the forum, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said the awards demonstrate how practical, community-based solutions can help countries meet their development goals through technology. Since the first WSIS in 2005, global internet usage has grown from one billion to more than 5.5 billion people, but experts say gaps in connectivity and digital skills remain.
The WSIS+20 forum will run through July 11, with delegates expected to agree on proposals for accelerating digital transformation in the years ahead. Organisers say Africa’s growing presence at the summit reflects the continent’s progress in driving local tech solutions and tackling digital inequality.
