MEST Africa Challenge (Pan-African pitch competition) 2025 for early-stage technology startups ($50,000 in equity) Deadline: 26 September, 2025

Applications are now open for the 2025 MEST Africa Challenge. The 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. The MEST Africa Challenge 2025 is led by MEST Africa and powered by Absa.

Eligibility criteria

• 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)

Benefits

• $50,000 in equity investment, access to MEST Portfolio resources and prizes from this year’s partners
• Finalists will be fully sponsored with travel to and from Cape Town including, housing, and transport for the final pitch day in November 2025.

Application Timeline:

• Applications open: 4 August 2025
• Applications close: 26 September 2025
• Top 20 participants announced: 10 October 2025
• Virtual semi-finals: Week of 27 October 2025
• In-person finals in Cape Town, South Africa: Week of 24 November 2025

Application Deadline: September 26, 2025

For More Information:

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