The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa) has opened applications for the seventh edition of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC 2025), a pan-African pitch competition that equips high-potential startups with funding and hands-on support.
This year’s edition is dedicated exclusively to fintech startups, spotlighting founders who are reimagining how money is moved, managed, and insured across the continent.
Applications run until 26 September 2025, after which 20 semi-finalists and 10 grand-finalists will be selected. The overall winner will secure a $50 000 equity investment and the opportunity to pilot with strategic partners at scale.
“The MEST Africa Challenge is where Africa’s boldest ideas find the opportunity to scale,” says Ashwin Ravichandran, portfolio advisor and MAC lead at MEST Africa. “Our partnership with Absa gives these visionary founders the lift they need – connecting them to the capital, expertise, and networks that turn promising startups into sector-defining businesses and drive inclusive growth across the continent.”
With $30-million invested in more than 90 startups and 2 000 entrepreneurs to date, MEST is one of Africa’s most active early-stage tech investors. The 2025 edition of MAC deepens that impact through a strategic partnership with Absa that aligns the competition with the bank’s digital-finance priorities.
The collaboration between Absa and MEST aims to accelerate innovation by connecting FinTech startups with the resources and expertise needed to scale solutions that drive inclusive growth across Africa.
“Our partnership with MEST is a strategic step toward unlocking innovation that truly matters,” says Muhammad Ali Bhikhan, managing executive and CIO at Absa Regional Operations. “It will allow us to connect with visionary startups, build a strong talent pipeline, and collaborate on solutions that can drive meaningful digital transformation and long-term impact across the continent, he concludes.”
MAC 2025 invites early-stage startups in FinTech and other high-value, value-chain solutions that are already active in at least one of Absa’s priority markets — countries including Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia and Ghana.
To qualify, a company must be three years old or younger, show minimum monthly recurring revenue of $5 000, and have raised no more than $1-million to date. Each venture should have at least two co-founders, be able to pitch in English, and, while not mandatory, Delaware registration is considered an advantage.
Founders can submit a short online application, including a three-minute video pitch, on https://apo-opa.co/40P2V41. Virtual semi-finals will take place in late October, and the top 10 teams will present live in Cape Town at the Grand Finale in late November.