Meta Launches ‘Llama Impact Grant’ for AI Innovation in Africa

Meta has announced the Llama Impact Grant, a funding initiative aimed at supporting startups and researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa who are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle social challenges.

Launched in collaboration with Data Science Africa, the programme seeks to drive innovation using Meta’s open-source AI models, Llama 2 and Llama 3. It will provide up to $500,000 in funding for projects focused on key sectors such as education, agriculture, and healthcare.

One of the first beneficiaries, Digital Green, has partnered with One Acre Fund to develop a multilingual AI-powered chatbot. This tool will offer personalised agricultural guidance to small-scale farmers, enhancing productivity and sustainability in the region.

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Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta, Balkissa Ide Siddo, highlighted AI’s transformative potential:

“We’re still in the early days, but AI is likely to fundamentally change every aspect of our lives—spurring innovation, turbo-charging growth, and driving an explosion in learning and productivity.

“At the forefront of this transformation are open-source AI models, like Meta’s Llama, which are available for free for organisations to use, modify, and build on. Through this grant programme, we’re hoping to support and scale AI-driven solutions across Africa that address the continent’s unique social and economic challenges, empowering innovators to drive meaningful impact across the region.”

Meta’s initiative aligns with its broader commitment to open-source AI development and global digital inclusion. By supporting African innovators, the company aims to foster AI-driven solutions that promote economic growth and technological advancement across the continent.