The MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025 is a continent-wide pitch competition for early-stage technology startups seeking funding, exposure, and partnership opportunities. Led by MEST Africa and powered by Absa, MAC offers founders the chance to scale their ventures through access to capital, mentorship, and strategic commercial pilots with Absa and other partners.
Program Overview
- Program Name: MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025
- Organizers: MEST Africa
- Primary Partner: Absa
- Target Audience: Early-stage technology startups across Africa
- Top Prize: $50,000 equity investment
- Additional Benefits:
- Entry into the MEST Portfolio
- Pilots with Absa business units
- Exclusive partner prizes
- One year of professional business coaching
Key Themes for MAC 2025
- Strategic Alignment with Absa:
MAC 2025 invites startups that align with Absa’s innovation goals, focusing on fintech and high-value value-chain solutions. - Geographic Focus:
Eligible startups must already be operating in at least one of Absa’s priority markets:- Botswana
- Uganda
- Mauritius
- Seychelles
- Kenya
- Mozambique
- Zambia
- Ghana
- Sectoral Focus:
Fintech, Insurtech, and adjacent sectors delivering:- Digital payments
- Financial inclusion
- Insurance innovation
- Value chain financing
Eligibility Criteria
Startups must meet the following conditions:
- Operate as an early-stage technology venture
- Be active in at least one Absa priority market
- Minimum of $5,000 in Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)
- Have raised $1 million or less in total funding
- In operation for no more than 3 years
- At least two founding team members
- Minimum of 6 months’ revenue traction
- Delaware registration is preferred but not mandatory
Featured Innovation Areas
MAC 2025 encourages applications across a broad range of solution areas, including but not limited to:
- Smart Credit & Alt-Lending: Non-traditional credit scoring, BNPL, MSME financing
- Fraud & Trust Tech: Deepfake detection, biometric verification, real-time fraud prevention
- Next-Gen Payments: Embedded checkout, P2P wallets, proxy-pay systems
- Agri-Tech Engines: IoT-enabled farming, farmer finance integration
- Financial Literacy & Inclusion: Gamified education, mobile learning platforms
- Investment Gateways: SME crowdfunding, SACCO 2.0 platforms
- Offline-Friendly Solutions: WhatsApp-first banking, auto-reconciliation for cash-heavy sectors
- Integration & Compliance Layers: API marketplaces, KYC/AML-ready platforms
- Super-Apps & CX: Aggregated banking services, seamless onboarding journeys
- Cross-Border Trade & Payments: End-to-end SME trade solutions, logistics integration
- Micro & On-Demand Insurtech: Usage-based insurance, instant claims via AI
Competition Process
- Online Application Submission
- Includes a 3-minute video pitch (mobile recordings acceptable)
- Video must feature the applicant on camera and be in English
- Selection of Top 20 Applicants
- Virtual Semi-Finals Round
- Finalist Selection (Top 10 Startups)
- Grand Finale & Demo Day
- Location: Cape Town, South Africa
- Format: 5-minute pitch + 5-minute Q&A
- Option to include a live product demo within time constraints
- All sessions conducted in English
Application Notes
- Video quality is not judged; content and clarity of the pitch are key
- The applicant must be clearly visible and audible
- Only live-action videos are accepted (no animations or voiceovers)
- Final Deadline for Applications: September 26, 2025
The MEST Africa Challenge 2025 offers early-stage tech entrepreneurs across the continent a chance to pitch, partner, and grow. With $50,000 in equity investment, strategic collaborations, and access to MEST and Absa’s vast networks, MAC stands as a high-impact platform for startups ready to lead Africa’s digital future.