Celebrating Africa’s Brightest Innovators
The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Africa, in partnership with Absa, has announced the 20 semi-finalists for the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025. Now in its seventh year, the initiative continues to highlight Africa’s most promising startups transforming the FinTech and digital innovation landscape.
This year’s theme, “You Build, We Scale,” encourages founders to turn bold ideas into scalable solutions across Absa’s eight key markets – Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Uganda, and Zambia.
From AI-driven credit tools to cross-border payment systems and agri-fintech platforms, the 2025 semi-finalists embody the growing strength and creativity of Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Empowering Entrepreneurs to Redefine Financial Access
“Each of these founders represents a unique path toward reimagining how finance works for Africans,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa and MAC Lead. “Their ideas pair technology with empathy, proving that lasting change comes from solving real problems within their own communities.
As MAC 2025’s strategic partner, Absa continues to champion digital financial inclusion across Africa. This collaboration reflects a shared mission to build financial systems that are inclusive, scalable, and accessible for all.
“Congratulations to the top 20 finalists and to all applicants. The quality of submissions has been exceptional,” said Tawanda Chatikobo, Head of Digital for Absa Regional Operations (ARO), Retail and Business Banking. “These startups are not only solving real challenges; they’re building the foundation for inclusive growth and lasting impact. At Absa, we see ourselves as partners in this journey, guided by a purpose to make banking simpler, more accessible, and more relevant for our customers.”
Spotlight on Innovation Across Africa
The 20 semi-finalists showcase how emerging technologies are transforming Africa’s access to finance and opportunity.
Notable Ventures Include:
- mystock.africa (Botswana): A retail investing platform opening access to African and global markets.
- Brydge (Ghana): Simplifying cross-border trade for African supply chains.
- Logistify AI (Kenya): Using AI to optimise procurement for SMEs and cooperatives.
- Farmsky Ventures (Kenya): Providing digital lending and crop insurance for smallholder farmers.
- Ebusaka Green Technology (Zambia): Turning waste into value through digital recycling incentives.
- Fusepay (Seychelles): A licensed Payment Service Provider building a unified digital finance hub for frontier markets.
A full list of semi-finalists is available at MEST Africa.
The virtual pitching rounds will take place between 27 and 31 October 2025, followed by the Final Demo Day in Cape Town, South Africa, on 26 November 2025. The winner will earn USD $50,000 in equity investment, along with mentorship and access to MEST Africa’s global investor network.
Fostering Africa’s Next Generation of Tech Leaders
“Through this challenge, we’re seeing solutions that are not only innovative but strategically aligned with Africa’s evolving technology landscape. Some of these ideas have the potential to accelerate digital transformation and unlock new value for our customers,” said Tamu Dutuma, Head of Strategy and Transformation for ARO Technology.
Since 2008, MEST Africa has trained over 2,000 entrepreneurs and invested in more than 90 startups across the continent. The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) remains a cornerstone initiative that identifies, funds, and scales high-impact ventures, helping to shape Africa’s digital future.
