The MEST Africa Challenge Virtually Comes Home

Africa’s tech startup competition takes tribute to MEST’s headquarters in Ghana by incorporating an Adinkra symbol into branding.

Ithas been three years since the MEST Africa Challenge was launched with the aim of providing a stage for technology start-ups to raise funding, build their industry networks and gain international visibility that would serve them well in growing and expanding their businesses. The annual competition has become an establishment in the start-up technology industry in Africa, giving an unprecedented global platform to hundreds of entrepreneurs from all over Africa.

The groundbreaking pitch event, organized by MEST, was first held in part with the MEST Africa Summit in South Africa, open to only three countries. Last year, Kenya hosted the competition finals between regional finalists from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana.

This year, the MEST Africa Challenge returns to Ghana, the birthplace of MEST and the home of its Headquarters and first hub. It will also see an expansion in reach as the extend to nine markets, targeting early-stage tech companies in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Sénégal, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.

For the coming home edition, the challenge draws inspiration from the Adinkra symbol, ‘BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO’ a symbol of cooperation and interdependence which literally means “help me and let me help you” in the Akan dialect.

‘Adinkra’ are visual symbols, originally created by the Akan of Ghana and the Gyaman of Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa that represent concepts or original thoughts, much like the ‘Yin’ and ‘Yan’ symbol in the Chinese culture represents how two seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected, and interdependent.

The ‘BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO’ symbol makes use of a geometric combination of symmetry and asymmetry. It contains two triangles touching each other by their ‘noses’, joined together by two semi-circles. One triangle contains a white square with its tail forming a circle while the other triangle contains a white circle and its tail elongating to form a square.

This conveys the concept of social reciprocity and equality, creating the illusion that we are the same, in as much as we are different, and that we all need something from others, in the same way, they need something from us. The best way to understand the ‘Boa me na me mmoa wo’, symbol is to think of a symbiotic relationship where two groups, entities or individuals, both need something which the other person has. No one need is greater than the other, and no help or support is more valuable than the other. Their needs just complement each other, creating an interdependent relationship that is mutually beneficial.

This year’s theme ties well with current worldwide developments as a result of the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It’s become more important than ever that we support each other to get through this difficult time, especially within the startup ecosystem.

The symbol represents the need to transform the world by creating a space that promotes the formation of mutually beneficial relationships, interdependence, and collaborations for the greater good, and this is ultimately the goal of the MEST Africa Challenge.

In the spirit of this, the MEST Africa Challenge application deadline has been extended to May 13th, to allow for more applicants to compete. The challenge is also happening virtually, further reducing barriers to participating that COVID-19 may present to some startups.

Additionally, each country final will take place in its own week, during which MEST will be curating and creating conversations and resources specific to their particular local contexts. Microsoft is the lead partner and there are many ecosystem partners including VC4A, Levers In Heels, Royal Work Club, 250 Startups, Movemeback, Klab, Afrilabs, BriterBridges, Silicon Cape, Blue Moon Ethiopia, Founders Factory, Gebeya, NaiLab, SwahiliBox, 250 Startups Impact Hub Kigali, Stanbic Incubator, HackLab Foundation, Ghana Tech Lab, Sahara Ventures, Seedstars Dar es Salaam, RoboTech, YUX Design, Seedspace, Growth Lab, Impact Hub Lagos, She Leads Africa, Nairobi Garage, and more.

“We realize that the MEST Africa Challenge and funding opportunities for African tech startups are now more important than ever,” ​says Jorn Lyseggen, CEO of MEST. “MEST is committed to supporting the African tech ecosystem through these difficult times. Through the MEST Africa Challenge, we will help promising startups across the continent get visibility, access to networks, and funding.”

This year, the MEST Africa Challenge is expanding its reach from five target markets to nine. Tech entrepreneurs in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Sénégal, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania are encouraged to apply here before May 13th.

The MEST Africa Challenge is organized by MEST, an Africa-wide technology entrepreneur training program, internal seed fund, and network of hubs offering incubation for technology startups in Africa. It was founded in Ghana in 2008 and has supported over 60+ portfolio companies across multiple sectors and markets tackling Africa’s biggest problems, built by the continent’s most promising entrepreneurs.