In Accra, Ghana, the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is redefining what it means to nurture Africa’s next generation of tech leaders. Rather than focusing solely on business ideas, MEST emphasises the development of the individual entrepreneur. Through its intensive training programs, MEST equips young Africans with the skills, mindset, and support needed to build scalable, impactful startups.
Lessons from MEST at the EEA Summit
At this year’s EEA Summit, Emily Fiagbedzi, Director of Training at MEST and Owusua Amoo-Acheampong led a powerful session exploring what it really takes to build entrepreneurs—not just startups. Their presentation highlighted MEST’s holistic approach to entrepreneurship education, where recruitment, training, and support all centre on the whole person.
Participants were invited to:
- Explore the value of immersive, scenario-based learning in entrepreneurship education.
- Understand MEST’s unique training model, which blends technical skills, founder mindset development, and deep community building.
- Collaborate on designing practical curriculum modules tailored to African youth.
What makes MEST’s approach resonate with the Anzisha vision is its focus on long-term capacity building. Instead of chasing quick wins, MEST invests in the grit, character, and resilience of young founders—principles that mirror Anzisha’s mission to back entrepreneurs at their earliest, most formative stages.
Key takeaways?
- Whole-person recruitment works. MEST evaluates grit, growth potential, and diversity alongside technical ability.
- Scenario-based training drives real growth. By embedding real-world challenges into the learning journey, young entrepreneurs develop adaptability and resilience.
- Collaboration is non-negotiable. Peer learning and ecosystem connections are as important as business skills.
For educators, coaches, and program designers across Africa, the session underscored a clear call: if we want youth entrepreneurship to thrive, we must design experiences that see, support, and grow the whole founder.
What is MEST all about?
Since its inception in 2008, MEST has trained over 2,000 entrepreneurs from more than 22 African countries. The 12-month, fully sponsored program offers graduate-level training in software development, business, and communications. Entrepreneurs-in-Training (EITs) engage in hands-on project work, culminating in a final pitch for seed funding. The program focuses on building founders—not just startups—by investing in the whole person: their mindset, character, and long-term capacity to lead and adapt.
MESTx: Scaling Impact Through Partnerships
To extend its impact, MEST launched MESTx, a suite of collaborative programs designed and delivered with like-minded partners to expand digital skills training and startup acceleration across Africa. These partnerships aim to power inclusive innovation at scale, reaching more aspiring entrepreneurs and providing them with the tools and resources needed to succeed.
The MEST AI Startup Program: Preparing for the Future
Recognising the growing importance of artificial intelligence, MEST introduced the AI Startup Program. This immersive experience is designed to equip Africa’s most promising AI entrepreneurs with the technical, business, and leadership skills needed to build and scale globally competitive AI startups. The program includes intensive training phases, mentorship from global experts, and opportunities for seed funding. Top-performing teams are selected for an additional incubation phase, where they transform bold ideas into viable startups.
MEST-backed startups have achieved significant milestones, including recognition by global accelerator programs such as Y Combinator, 500 Startups, and Techstars. Notable alumni include Charlette N’Guessan, co-founder of BACE API, is the first ever woman to win the 2020 Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation (2020), and the first winner based in Ghana.
We sat down with Emily to learn more about the effectiveness of the program’s approach to entrepreneurship education.
Q: Emily, you’ve had a diverse journey leading to MEST. What drew you back to Ghana and MEST in 2021?
My experiences in Kenya and Ghana during my undergraduate years left a lasting impression. They unknowingly set the stage for what would become a career largely rooted on the continent. When MEST offered me the chance to return as Director of Training, it felt like coming full circle – and exactly the right next step.
MEST is known for building founders, not just startups. Can you elaborate on this approach?
At MEST, we focus on developing the whole person: their mindset, character, and long-term capacity to lead and adapt. The intensive cohort model fosters a deep sense of community and shared growth, creating a transformative experience that goes beyond technical or business skills.
Q: In your view, what urgent issues should be amplified for Africa’s youth today?
We need to amplify African youth voices, perspectives, and innovations on the global stage, especially in emerging fields like AI, digital infrastructure, and sustainability. Young entrepreneurs across the continent are building solutions shaped by their unique environments and lived experiences. These are not just local answers; they often outperform traditional models in adaptability and relevance.
Q: What advice would you give to someone designing a youth entrepreneurship program today?
Start by listening. Young people know what they need—our role is to take that input seriously and design with them, not just for them. Invest in their growth, confidence, and community. When people feel seen and supported, they build differently – and they lead differently.
MEST’s approach is a reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about launching businesses; it’s about fostering resilient, adaptable, and visionary leaders. By investing in the person behind the idea, MEST is shaping a future where African youth are not just participants in the global economy—they are leading it.
