Meta, in collaboration with Data Science Africa, has launched the Llama Impact Grant, a new funding initiative aimed at supporting startups and researchers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The grant, part of Meta’s global Llama Impact Grants programme, seeks to finance AI-driven projects leveraging Llama, the company’s open-source large language model, to address regional challenges.
Meta is inviting proposals from individuals and organisations working on AI-powered solutions in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, and scientific research. Successful applicants will receive a $20,000 grant to bring their projects to life.
Meta outlined the key factors that will determine the selection of grant recipients: a clear and compelling use case for Llama AI, a well-defined path to impact with a significant potential user base, and the expertise and diversity of the team.
Others include ethical considerations in product development and a realistic budget and implementation timeline.
The application deadline for the grant is April 18, 2025, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply through Meta’s online submission portal.
Balkissa Ide Siddo, Meta’s Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasised the transformative potential of AI in the region.
She highlighted that Meta’s open-source Llama models, including Llama 3.3, allow organisations to create customised AI solutions without the financial barriers of commercial AI tools. Past initiatives using Llama include AI-powered chatbots for farmers and digital health support for new mothers.
Since launching in October 2023, Meta’s global Llama Impact Grant programme has attracted over 800 applications from 90+ countries. Some of the most notable projects include: Digital Green’s Farmer Chat—a multilingual AI chatbot offering personalised agricultural advice in Swahili, Kikuyu, and Hindi, tailored for small-scale farmers in Africa and South Asia.
Jacaranda Health’s PROMPTS – an AI-powered digital health tool that provides SMS-based support and clinical guidance to new and expecting mothers in Kenya, Ghana, and Eswatini.
Through initiatives like the Llama Impact Grant, Meta aims to scale AI-driven solutions that address Africa’s unique social and economic challenges, empowering local innovators to create meaningful impact across the continent.
