MEST Africa in partnership with Absa, has announced twenty (20) startups that have been shortlisted as semi-finalists for the 2025 MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), each one a step closer to securing a spot at the Grand Finale that will be held in Cape Town, South Africa. This highlights the continent’s most promising ventures in fintech and other high-value chain solutions, showcasing Africa’s growing innovation ecosystem and entrepreneurial potential.
“Congratulations to the top 20 semi-finalists. These startups are not only solving real challenges; they’re building the foundation for inclusive growth and lasting impact,” Tawanda Chatikobo, Head of Digital for Absa Regional Operations, Retail and Business Banking, said in a press statement.
The 20 startups will pitch virtually to a panel of judges on October 27th, 2025. Only the top 10 startups will advance to the finals in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 26th, 2025, where the overall winner will receive US$50,000 (approx. UGX173.4 million) in equity investment, access to MEST Africa’s global network of mentors, partners, and investors, and the opportunity to explore pilot pathways with Absa’s business units.
The ventures, including six from Uganda, are addressing some of Africa’s pressing financial needs —spanning from next-generation payments, smart credit solutions, cross-border trade, agri-fintech, and digital financial literacy.
“Each of these startups represents a unique path toward reimagining how finance works for Africans,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa and MAC Lead. “The ideas pair technology with empathy, proving that lasting change comes from solving real problems within the founders’ own communities.”
The 20 standout startups include:
- Botswana: mystock.africa.
- Ghana: Brydge, Kutana Technologies Limited.
- Kenya: Logistify AI, Farmsky Ventures, and Investa Farm.
- Mauritius: Black Swan.
- Mozambique: Simulador Bancário.
- Seychelles: Fusepay.
- Uganda: Paytota, Xzerra, Kanzu Finance Limited, Axiom Zorn, Credify Africa, Inc., and eMaisha Pay.
- Zambia: Ebusaka Green Technology Limited, KreativBox Technology, Mighty Finance Solution Inc., Devdraft Ai, and Homer Price Agency Solutions Limited.
The MEST Africa Challenge is its flagship pan-African pitch competition designed to identify, support, and scale high-potential technology ventures.
Now in its 7th edition, the Challenge brings to life the theme “You Build, We Scale” — inspiring founders to transform bold ideas into scalable financial solutions across Absa’s eight priority markets: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Uganda, and Zambia.
“Our partnership with MEST and our active participation in the MEST Africa Challenge 2025 reflect our commitment to open collaboration within the fintech ecosystem,” said Chatikobo. “At Absa, we see ourselves as partners in this journey, guided by a purpose to make banking simpler, more accessible, and more relevant for our customers.”
As MEST Africa’s strategic partner for the 2025 edition of MAC, Absa continues to play a pivotal role in driving digital innovation in financial services and inclusion across Africa. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs who are redefining financial access for individuals and businesses alike.
Tamu Dutuma, Head of Strategy and Transformation for ARO Technology, noted that through MAC, they’re seeing solutions that are not only innovative but strategically aligned with Africa’s evolving technology landscape. Some of these ideas have the potential to accelerate digital transformation and unlock new value for our customers.
Since its inception in 2008, MEST Africa has trained and supported over 2,000 entrepreneurs and invested in over 90 startups across the continent.
See also: Makerere University’s Code Forces Triumph at the 2025 Absa GirlCode Hackathon
