MEST Africa, the continent‑leading tech entrepreneurship training institution, has unveiled the seventh MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025, in a strategic partnership with pan‑African bank Absa, aimed at fast‑tracking early‑stage FinTech startups across Africa.
This year’s Absa MEST Challenge edition is dedicated exclusively to FinTech startups, spotlighting founders who are reimagining how money is moved, managed, and insured across the continent. The competition, which opened for applications on 30 July 2025 and runs until 26 September 2025.
High-growth FinTech founders are encouraged to apply for a chance to win US $50,000 in equity investment, pilot their solutions with Absa business units, and gain access to MEST’s mentorship, network, and incubation support platforms.
In a departure from the region‑wide Agritech focus of the 2024 edition, MAC 2025 narrows its lens to FinTech and high‑value value‑chain startups operating in at least one of Absa’s priority markets: Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia and Ghana.
“The MEST Africa Challenge is where Africa’s boldest ideas find the opportunity to scale,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor & 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.”
Eligible ventures must be no older than three years, demonstrate minimum monthly recurring revenue of US $5,000, have raised no more than US $1 million, and be led by at least two founders with English‑language pitching ability. Delaware incorporation is considered an advantage, though not mandatory.
The Absa MEST Challenge competition structure involves a virtual semi‑final in late October and an in‑person finale in Cape Town in late November, where the top ten finalists will present live to a panel of investors and Absa executives.
Established in 2008 as the non‑profit arm of Meltwater, the Meltwater Foundation drives job creation and economic growth in Africa through software entrepreneurship. Headquartered in Accra, Ghana, the Foundation’s Entrepreneurial Support Organization. MEST delivers a full-time, in-person intensive tech‑entrepreneurship training to emerging talent from more than 22 African countries and provides early‑stage investment to promising ventures.
As one of Africa’s most active early‑stage investors, MEST has invested over US $30 million in more than 90 startups, training over 2,000 entrepreneurs since 2008. Through MAC, MEST extends its mission to support scalable software innovation with continent‑level impact.
“Africa’s future will be shaped by bold ideas, local ingenuity, and scalable innovation. At Absa, we recognize the critical role entrepreneurs play in driving inclusive economic growth. This partnership with MEST reflects our commitment to backing those visionaries and shaping the future of financial services. It complements our digital transformation strategy and reflects our purpose of empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together, one story at a time,” said Omar Baig, Managing Executive: ARO Retail and Business Banking.
To extend this impact, the Foundation launched MESTx, a suite of collaborative programs designed and delivered with like‑minded partners to expand digital‑skills training and startup acceleration across the continent. Since its inception, the Meltwater Foundation has trained 2,000+ entrepreneurs and invested in 90+ startups across the continent fueling innovation, creating jobs, and shaping Africa’s next generation of tech entrepreneurs.
“Our partnership with MEST is a strategic step toward unlocking innovation that truly matters,” says Muhammad Ali Bhikhan, Managing Executive and Chief Information Officer 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.”
Founders can submit a short online application, including a three-minute video pitch, on https://apo-opa.co/40P2V41 from 31st July, 2025. Virtual semi-finals will take place in late October, and the top ten teams will present live in Cape Town at the Grand Finale in late November.
What the winners stand to gain
US $50,000 equity funding
Entry into the MEST Portfolio, including incubation and follow‑on investment opportunities
A commercial pilot pathway within Absa business units
Access to partner prizes and perks, including mentorship and networking sessions.
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