Africa’s growing influence in global digital development was firmly on display at the WSIS+20 High-Level Event, as Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe were among 19 winners recognised for outstanding use of technology to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.
The Summit, which marks the 20th anniversary of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), is hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Swiss Confederation. This year’s event brings together delegates from over 150 countries, setting a new direction for global digital cooperation ahead of the United Nations General Assembly’s review of the WSIS process later this year.
WSIS+20 commemorates two decades of international efforts to build people-centred and equitable information societies. The forum also celebrates innovation through the prestigious WSIS Prizes, awarded to projects that address real-world challenges using digital tools.
Among this year’s winners, four African nations stood out for initiatives that demonstrated both impact and replicability:
- Nigeria was awarded in the Access to Information and Knowledge category for its Digital Awareness Programme, led by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The initiative focuses on bridging the digital divide through ICT training and infrastructure development in underserved areas.
- South Africa claimed top honours in the Enabling Environment category for Digitech, a programme under the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. Digitech fosters local innovation by supporting homegrown developers and boosting the visibility of South African-made digital solutions.
- Zimbabwe’s Usawa Institute won the Media category for Girls Speak Out, a project founded by Anoziva Marindire. The initiative empowers young women in marginalised communities through digital storytelling, tech training, and coding, expanding access to the digital economy.
- Tanzania received recognition in the E-health category for A New Era in Zanzibar’s Healthcare, a PharmAccess initiative that uses digital unique IDs to enhance access, transparency, and quality of healthcare services.
“Digital IDs are helping us reimagine healthcare delivery,” said Dr. Heri Marwa of PharmAccess Tanzania.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin hailed the WSIS Prize winners as proof of how tailored, community-driven technology solutions can transform lives. Since the summit first convened in 2005, global internet usage has surged from one billion to over 5.5 billion users, with the WSIS process helping shape international norms around connectivity, digital rights, and governance.
“Technology, when tailored to local needs, can transform societies,” Bogdan-Martin said.
This year’s forum also marks a transition point for the WSIS process, which has evolved from early infrastructure discussions into a robust platform for multi stakeholder collaboration on issues ranging from digital inclusion and AI governance to cybersecurity and education.
As the WSIS+20 event continues through July 11, the spotlight on African innovation sends a clear message: the continent is not only closing its digital gaps but actively shaping the future of global information societies. The success of these four nations affirms Africa’s central role in advancing inclusive, sustainable digital transformation on the world stage.
