Meta, Data Science Africa Launch Llama Impact Grant to Support AI Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Meta and Data Science Africa have launched the Llama Impact Grant to support AI-driven solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• The grant offers $20,000 to fund innovative projects using Llama, Meta’s open-source large language model.
• Applications are open until April 18, 2025, with proposals evaluated based on impact potential, team expertise, and ethical considerations.

Meta, in collaboration with Data Science Africa, has introduced the Llama Impact Grant, a new initiative designed to support startups and researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that as part of Meta’s global Llama Impact Grants program, this initiative aims to fund innovative projects that leverage Llama, Meta’s open-source large language model, to address the region’s unique challenges.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform productivity, creativity, and economic growth while enabling breakthroughs in key sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and scientific research. To harness this potential, Meta is inviting proposals from individuals and organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa to develop AI-driven solutions using Llama.

According to Meta’s announcement, proposals will be assessed based on:

• A clear and compelling use case for Llama.
• A defined path to impact, including a large potential user base.
• The expertise and composition of the team.
• Ethical considerations in product development.
• A realistic budget and timeline.

The winning proposal will receive a $20,000 grant to develop and implement their project. Interested applicants can submit proposals via the online application portal before the April 18, 2025 deadline.

Commenting on the initiative, Balkissa Ide Siddo, Meta’s Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the transformative power of AI:

“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.

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At the forefront of this transformation are open-source AI models like Meta’s Llama, which organizations can freely use, modify, and build upon.

Through this grant, we aim to scale AI-driven solutions that address Africa’s social and economic challenges, empowering innovators to drive meaningful impact.”

The Llama Impact Grant for Sub-Saharan Africa is part of Meta’s broader global initiative, which launched in October 2023.

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