he 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.
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)
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
