Uganda’s FinTech ecosystem continues to make waves on the continental stage after Credify Africa Inc. and Kanzu Finance Ltd. were named among the top 10 finalists in the MEST Africa Challenge 2025, one of the continent’s most prestigious tech innovation competitions.
The two startups will represent Uganda at the grand finale in Cape Town, South Africa, on November 26, 2025, where the overall winner will walk away with a USD 50,000 seed equity investment and a chance to collaborate with Absa on future innovation projects.
Other finalists in the top 10 lineup include mystocks.africa (Botswana), Logistify AI (Kenya), Kutana Technologies Ltd (Ghana), Investa Farm (Kenya), Black Swan (Mauritius), Mighty Finance Solution Inc. (Zambia), Devdraft AI (Zambia), and Farmsky (Kenya).
The MEST Africa Challenge, run by the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Africa in partnership with Absa Group, aims to spotlight and support early-stage technology startups with scalable solutions driving financial inclusion and digital transformation across Africa.
Speaking after announcing the finalists, Tamu Dutuma, Absa’s Head of Strategy and Transformation for Technology at Regional Operations, said the competition demonstrates the powerful link between innovation and financial inclusion.
“Our ambition is to reimagine financial services through technology. These FinTechs are showing us what is possible — from AI-driven analytics to customer-centric digital products that improve access and efficiency,” Dutuma noted. “We are eager to explore potential partnerships that can translate these ideas into impactful, scalable solutions.”
Ashwin Ravichandran, MEST Africa’s Portfolio Advisor and lead for the competition, praised this year’s entrants for their creativity and relevance to African markets.
“Every year, the Challenge becomes richer in innovation and vision. The 2025 finalists are building financial systems that are smart, inclusive, and distinctly African. They represent the continent’s next generation of transformative thinkers,” he said.
Adding to the sentiment, Tawanda Chatikobo, Absa’s Head of Digital for Regional Operations, Retail and Business Banking, emphasized how digital technologies are redefining Africa’s financial landscape.
“What makes these startups stand out is their focus on solving real challenges — from seamless payments to smarter lending. Digital innovation is no longer optional; it’s essential for Africa’s financial growth,” Chatikobo said.
This year’s competition expanded across eight Absa markets, highlighting high-impact solutions designed to strengthen financial inclusion and improve access to financial services for underserved communities.
The 2025 finalists will compete before a panel of judges comprising leading investors, innovation experts, and industry stakeholders. The winner will receive not only funding but also access to mentorship, visibility, and business growth opportunities across Africa’s thriving FinTech ecosystem.
“At Absa, every founder’s story matters,” Chatikobo added. “We are proud to support platforms that celebrate Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit and recognize startups that are changing lives through technology.”
