Absa, in partnership with the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST Africa), has unveiled the top 20 finalists progressing to the next phase of the MEST Africa Challenge 2025.
This year's Challenge spanned eight of Absa’s nine Regional Operations (ARO) markets: Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, and Ghana. The diverse representation of these eight markets in the top 20 underscores the widespread entrepreneurial talent across the continent. "Our collaboration with MEST Africa and involvement in the MEST Africa Challenge 2025 aligns with Absa’s commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators and developing more inclusive and relevant financial solutions. We're excited to celebrate this achievement and extend our congratulations to the top 20 finalists and all those who participated," remarked Tawanda Chatikobo, Head of Digital for Absa Regional Operations (ARO), Retail and Business Banking.
“The quality of submissions has been outstanding, demonstrating Africa's rich pool of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. These ventures are addressing tangible issues and contributing to more inclusive economic development,” he added. The selected finalists are tackling various themes, including Digital Financial Inclusion and Alternative Lending, Seamless Digital Experiences, AI, Data and Fraud Prevention, Digital Payments, and InsureTech.
“Each of these founders brings a distinctive approach to reimagining financial services for Africans,” said Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa and MAC Lead. “Their initiatives combine technology with empathy, showing that sustainable change originates from solving real problems within their communities. We are proud to offer a platform that connects them with investors, mentors, and global opportunities.” The Ugandan finalists include:
- Paytota – A unified payment gateway simplifying Africa's fragmented digital payments ecosystem.
- Xzerra – A biometric payment system enabling cashless, fingerprint-based transactions in schools.
- Kanzu Finance Limited – A digital banking solution tailored for Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations, Village Savings and Loan Associations, and microfinance institutions.
- Axiom Zorn – A data innovation company facilitating access to finance and markets for smallholder farmers.
- Credify Africa, Inc – A trade finance and logistics platform bridging the SME finance gap in Africa.
- eMaisha Pay – A digital payments platform designed for agro-traders and small businesses, fostering financial inclusion.