Deadline: September 26, 2025
Applications are open for the MEST Africa Challenge 2025. The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) is a leading Pan-African pitch competition designed for early-stage technology startups ready to scale. The MEST Africa Challenge 2025 is led by MEST Africa and powered by Absa. MAC offers a powerful platform to access equity funding, build strategic networks, and gain global visibility.
Finalists pitch live to an audience of top investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders, with standout benefits including the chance to win $50,000 in equity, gain entry into the prestigious MEST Portfolio, pilot commercial solutions with Absa business units, and unlock exclusive partner prizes. Join a growing community of innovative African founders and take your startup to the next level.
Prizes
- Stand the chance of winning $50,000 in equity
- A chance to join the MEST Portfolio
- Commercial pilot pathway with Absa business units for qualified solutions
- Win prizes and perks from sponsoring partners
Eligibility
- Sector Focus:
- Fintech and other value chains
- Solutions may include:
- Smart Credit & Alt-Lending
- Fraud & Trust Tech
- Personalised Money OS
- Offline-Friendly Rails
- Next-Gen Payments & Wallets
- Investment Gateways
- Agri-Tech Engines
- Financial Literacy Re-imagined
- Omnichannel CX & Super-Apps
- Trade & Cross-Border Boosters
- Product-Landing Platforms
- Value-Add Service Layers
- Integration Orchestrators
- Micro & On-Demand Insurtech
- Early- to growth-stage startups, in operations for less than 3 years
- Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) of at least US $5,000 with at least 6 months of recurring revenue
- Cumulative funding raised must be US $1 million or less
- Must be operating in at least one of the following key markets: Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana
- Minimum of two co-founders or founding team members
- Must be able to pitch in English
- Registered as a Delaware C-corp or in a neutral jurisdiction (preferred, not mandatory)
Application
For more information, visit MEST Africa Challenge.
