The MEST Africa Challenge 2025 (MAC 2025)

The MEST Africa Challenge 2025 (MAC 2025) is a premier Pan-African pitch competition targeting early-stage technology startups in the fintech and value chain sectors. Organized by MEST Africa and powered by Absa, the competition offers a platform for startups to scale, gain visibility, and access strategic partnerships.

Key Dates

• Applications Open: August 4, 2025

• Application Deadline: September 26, 2025

• Top 20 Participants Announced: October 10, 2025

• Virtual Semi-Finals: Week of October 27, 2025

• In-Person Finals: Week of November 24, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for MAC 2025, startups must meet the following criteria:

• Stage & Age: Early- to growth-stage, operational for less than 3 years

• Revenue: Minimum Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) of $5,000 for at least 6 months

• Funding: Cumulative funding raised must be $1 million or less

• Team: At least two co-founders or founding team members

• Language: Ability to pitch in English

• Registration: Preferably registered as a Delaware C-corp or in a neutral jurisdiction

• Market Presence: Operating in at least one of the following key markets: Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana MEST

Sector Focus & Solution Areas

MAC 2025 emphasizes fintech and related value chains, encouraging startups working on:

• Smart Credit & Alternative Lending

• Fraud & Trust Technology

• Personalized Money Operating Systems

• Offline-Friendly Payment Rails

• Next-Generation Payments & Wallets

• Investment Gateways

• Agri-Tech Engines

• Financial Literacy Solutions

• Omnichannel Customer Experience & Super-Apps

• Trade & Cross-Border Solutions

• Product-Landing Platforms

• Value-Add Service Layers

• Integration Orchestrators

• Micro & On-Demand Insurtech Facebook+1Grants Databaseen.wikipedia.orgMEST

Benefits

Finalists and winners of MAC 2025 will receive:

• $50,000 in equity investment

• Entry into the MEST Africa Portfolio

• Opportunity to pilot solutions with Absa business units

• Exposure to investors, corporates, and ecosystem leaders

• Fully sponsored travel to Cape Town for the final pitch day, including housing and transport

 Apply Now

Interested startups can apply through the official MEST Africa Challenge portal: