Meta, in collaboration with Data Science Africa, has announced the Llama Impact Grant, offering $20,000 to startups and researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The initiative aims to support innovative projects using Llama, Meta’s open-source large language model (LLM), to solve regional challenges in health, science, and agriculture.
Why it matters
AI is poised to transform industries worldwide, and Africa is no exception. By making Llama accessible, Meta hopes to empower local innovators to create AI-driven solutions for economic and social impact.
What they’re saying
“AI is likely to fundamentally change every aspect of our lives—spurring innovation, turbocharging growth, and driving an explosion in learning and productivity,” said Balkissa Ide Siddo, Public Policy Director, Sub-Saharan Africa at Meta.
“Through this grant, we want to scale AI-driven solutions that address Africa’s unique challenges.”
Between the lines
Unlike commercial AI models, Llama is open-source, meaning businesses and researchers can freely use, modify, and build upon it. More than 1 billion downloads globally highlight its growing adoption.
Global impact
Since launching in October 2023, Meta’s Llama Impact Grants have drawn 800+ applications from 90+ countries, supporting projects like:
- Digital Green’s Farmer Chat: An AI-powered chatbot delivering multilingual agricultural advice to small-scale farmers in Africa.
- Jacaranda Health’s PROMPTS: An AI-enabled health tool using SMS behavioral nudges to support maternal care in Kenya, Ghana, and Eswatini.
What’s next
Proposals will be judged on impact potential, ethical development, and feasibility. Applications close April 18, 2025.
