MEST Africa Challenge 2025: Empowering Fintech Startups Across the Continent
The Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) has announced the opening of applications for the 7th edition of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC) 2025. This pan-African pitch competition is designed to support high-potential startups by providing both funding and essential resources to help them thrive.
Focus on Fintech Innovation
This year’s challenge is dedicated exclusively to Fintech startups that are transforming the landscape of financial transactions across Africa. The initiative aims to identify disruptive ideas that enhance how money is managed, moved, and safeguarded within various markets.
Application Timeline
Applications for the MEST Africa Challenge open on July 30 and close on September 26, 2025. Following the application period, 20 semi-finalists will be selected, culminating in 10 finalists who will compete for the grand prize.
Adequate Support for Startups
The global winner of the MEST Africa Challenge will be awarded a stock investment of $50,000, along with opportunities to collaborate with major strategic partners. According to Ashwin Ravichandran, a portfolio advisor at MEST, “The MEST Africa Challenge is where the boldest ideas in Africa are given the chance to flourish.”
Strategic Partnerships for Growth
With a focus on impactful growth, this year’s competition is bolstered by a strategic partnership with ASSA, aligning the challenge with the bank’s digital finance priorities. “Our partnership with MEST reflects our commitment to nurturing innovation that drives inclusive economic growth,” states Omar Baig, Managing Director at ASSA.
Eligibility Criteria
Startups wishing to apply must be early-stage Fintech companies with a presence in at least one of Absa’s priority markets, including Botswana, Uganda, and Kenya, among others. Eligibility requires that companies be less than three years old, demonstrating a minimum monthly turnover of $5,000 and having raised over $1 million to date.
How to Participate in the Challenge
Founders can submit a brief online application along with a three-minute pitch video starting from July 31, 2025. The semi-finals will be conducted virtually at the end of October, and the pinnacle event will see the top ten teams presenting live during the grand finale in November.
Conclusion: A Call to Innovate
The MEST Africa Challenge offers a vital platform for startups looking to make a significant impact in the Fintech sector. By providing essential funding and access to invaluable networks, MEST aims to empower visionary entrepreneurs who will significantly contribute to forging Africa’s economic future.