Meta, in collaboration with Data Science Africa, has unveiled the Llama Impact Grant, a funding initiative designed to empower startups and researchers across Sub-Saharan Africa to develop artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that address the region’s unique challenges.

Part of Meta’s global Llama Impact Grants program, this initiative aims to accelerate AI-driven innovations by leveraging Llama, Meta’s open-source large language model. The grant will provide $20,000 to selected proposals, enabling innovators to turn their AI concepts into impactful solutions that can drive positive change across various sectors in Africa.

AI is rapidly emerging as a transformative force in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and scientific research. However, access to AI funding and infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa remains limited, hindering the pace of local innovation. The Llama Impact Grant is aimed at addressing this challenge by providing financial support and resources for startups and independent innovators, enabling them to create AI-driven tools and solutions tailored to Africa’s economic and social needs.

The grant is open to startups, research teams, and independent innovators who can demonstrate a compelling use case for Llama. Proposals will be assessed based on their potential impact, the expertise of the team, ethical considerations, and a well-defined budget and timeline. Applicants must submit their proposals via Meta’s online application portal, with the deadline set for April 18, 2025.

Balkissa Ide Siddo, Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta, highlighted AI’s transformative potential for the continent: “While AI is still in its early stages, it is likely to revolutionize multiple aspects of life, driving innovation, accelerating growth, and improving learning and productivity. Meta’s commitment to open-source AI—through models like Llama—ensures that financial barriers don’t hinder innovation, offering local innovators the tools they need to succeed.”

The launch of the Llama Impact Grant aligns with Africa’s growing AI ecosystem, where governments, universities, and tech hubs are increasingly investing in AI research and development. Despite these efforts, funding constraints and infrastructure challenges continue to stifle progress in many regions. By supporting local AI projects through this initiative, Meta aims to accelerate the creation of solutions that are specifically designed for African markets, foster local AI expertise, and contribute to long-term socio-economic development across the continent.

The Llama Impact Grant represents a major opportunity for African innovators to advance their AI-driven solutions, offering the potential to revolutionize industries and significantly improve the quality of life for millions of people.

 

Article by Jed Mwangi

Photo/Google

https://guardian.ng/technology/meta-announces-new-grant-for-startups-researchers/