WSIS Prizes 2026: Recognizing Global Innovations in People-Centered Digital Development

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has announced the winners of the 15th annual WSIS Prizes, honoring 18 groundbreaking projects that leverage technology for global development. These awards, presented at the WSIS Forum 2026 in Geneva, highlight international excellence in digital inclusion, infrastructure, and emerging tech solutions.

RMN News Technology Desk
New Delhi | July 9, 2026

Global Tech Excellence Honored in Geneva

The WSIS Prizes 2026 celebrated a landmark year of digital innovation, receiving nearly 1,600 submissions from over 120 countries. This prestigious contest, which has seen more than 10,000 submissions since its 2012 inception, serves as a global stage for “human ingenuity and life-changing tech innovation,” according to ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin.

The 2026 edition saw a massive public engagement with 2.2 million votes cast, resulting in 360 nominees, 90 champions, and finally, 18 winners representing 15 countries and 3 international organizations.

  From AI-driven education to maternal health apps, the 2026 WSIS Prizes prove that technology is the ultimate tool for global equity.

Driving Development Through Innovation

The winning projects span 18 distinct categories, demonstrating how digital development can address urgent real-world challenges:

• Infrastructure and AI: Algérie Télécom won for its “AI for Digital Inclusion” project, which uses artificial intelligence to identify and bridge digital gaps.
• Health and Empowerment: South Africa’s MomConnect, a mobile platform by Reach Digital Health, was recognized for improving maternal and child health outcomes. Meanwhile, the iamtheCODE Foundation received honors for its initiative to empower one million women and girl coders by 2030.
• Cybersecurity and Education: Qatar’s National Cyber Security Agency was awarded for its training program to build a resilient digital workforce. In Saudi Arabia, Qassim University’s QSpark project was recognized for using AI-driven personalized learning to transform higher education.
• Rural Development: India’s Department of Telecommunications won for “Samriddh Gram,” a model that leverages BharatNet infrastructure to deliver integrated public services to rural areas.

  18 winners, 120 countries, and 2.2 million votes: The WSIS Prizes 2026 showcase the massive scale of the world’s digital transformation.

A Renewed Commitment to the Digital Future

The awards took place during the WSIS Forum 2026 (6–10 July), which focused on critical issues including connectivity, online safety, and artificial intelligence. This year’s forum was bolstered by a renewed United Nations General Assembly commitment to digital development, ensuring that the “people-centered” spirit of the WSIS remains at the forefront of global policy.

As the UN agency for digital technologies, the ITU continues to coordinate global standards and radio spectrum use for its 194 Member States, striving to connect even the most remote communities to the benefits of sustainable digital transformation.