Twenty startups have been named semi-finalists within the MEST Africa Problem (MAC) 2025, introduced right now by MEST Africa in partnership with Absa.
Now in its seventh version, the Problem brings to life the theme “You Construct, We Scale” — inspiring founders to rework daring concepts into scalable monetary options throughout Absa’s eight precedence markets: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Uganda, and Zambia.
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The chosen ventures are addressing among the continent’s most urgent monetary innovation wants — spanning next-generation funds, good credit score options, cross-border commerce, agri-fintech, and digital monetary literacy.
“Every of those founders represents a novel path towards reimagining how finance works for Africans,” mentioned Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa and MAC Lead. “Their concepts pair expertise with empathy, proving that lasting change comes from fixing actual issues inside their very own communities. We’re proud to offer a platform that connects them with buyers, mentors, and international alternatives.”
As MEST Africa’s strategic accomplice for the 2025 version of MAC, Absa continues to play a pivotal function in driving digital innovation in monetary companies and inclusion throughout Africa. The partnership underscores a shared dedication to empowering entrepreneurs who’re redefining monetary entry for people and companies alike.
“Congratulations to the highest 20 finalists and to all candidates. The standard of submissions has been distinctive, showcasing the depth of innovation and entrepreneurial drive throughout Africa. These startups usually are not solely fixing actual challenges; they’re constructing the inspiration for inclusive development and lasting influence. Our partnership with MEST and our energetic participation within the MEST Africa Problem 2025 replicate our dedication to open collaboration inside the FinTech ecosystem. At Absa, we see ourselves as companions on this journey, guided by a objective to make banking less complicated, extra accessible, and extra related for our prospects,” says Tawanda Chatikobo, Head of Digital for Absa Regional Operations (ARO), Retail and Enterprise Banking.
The 20 startups that may advance within the MEST Africa Problem 2025.
Botswana
mystock.africa – A retail investing platform giving Africans entry to shares, ETFs, and different property.
Ghana
Brydge – A provide chain platform simplifying cross-border commerce for African companies.
Kutana Applied sciences Restricted – A multi-currency cost platform powering B2B cross-border commerce utilizing stablecoins and AI-driven credit score.
Kenya
Logistify AI – An AI platform serving to SMEs and cooperatives optimize procurement and provide chains.
Farmsky Ventures – A digital lending and crop insurance coverage platform boosting productiveness for smallholder farmers.
Investa Farm – An Agri-FinTech platform providing voucher-backed loans for climate-resilient farm inputs.
Mauritius
Black Swan – Makes use of AI and different knowledge to construct credit score scores for Africa’s unbanked inhabitants.
Mozambique
Simulador Bancário – A digital platform simplifying monetary planning and mortgage simulations.
Uganda
Paytota – A unified cost gateway simplifying Africa’s fragmented digital funds ecosystem.
Xzerra – A biometric cost system enabling cashless, fingerprint-based transactions in colleges.
Kanzu Finance Restricted – A digital banking resolution for Financial savings and Credit score Cooperative Organizations, Village Financial savings and Mortgage Associations, and microfinance establishments.
Axiom Zorn – A knowledge innovation firm enabling entry to finance and markets for smallholder farmers.
Credify Africa, Inc – A commerce finance and logistics platform bridging Africa’s SME finance hole.
eMaisha Pay – A digital funds platform for agro-traders and small companies, driving monetary inclusion.
Zambia
Ebusaka Inexperienced Know-how Restricted – A FinTech-powered waste-to-value platform digitizing funds and recycling incentives.
KreativBox Know-how – digital lending firm providing salary-backed loans to civil servants.
Mighty Finance Answer Inc – Gives embedded digital loans to SMEs and ladies entrepreneurs.
Devdraft Ai – A cross-border funds platform for freelancers and companies utilizing stablecoin wallets.
Homer Value Company Options Restricted – A digital banking supplier working 550+ brokers nationwide.
Seychelles
Fusepay – A licensed Fee Service Supplier making a digital finance hub for frontier markets.
The 20 semi-finalists will pitch nearly in the course of the week of October 27, 2025, with solely the highest 10 startups advancing to the Closing Demo Day in Cape City, South Africa, on November 26, 2025. The general winner will obtain USD $50,000 in fairness funding, entry to MEST Africa’s international community of mentors, companions, and buyers, and the chance to discover pilot pathways with Absa’s enterprise items.
“By means of this problem, we’re seeing options that aren’t solely revolutionary however strategically aligned with Africa’s evolving expertise panorama. A few of these concepts have the potential to speed up digital transformation and unlock new worth for our prospects,” says Tamu Dutuma, Head of Technique and Transformation for ARO Know-how.
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