Calling for Applications 2025: Meta’s Llama is Calling African AI Innovators
The Llama Impact Accelerator Program is a regional program supporting startups constructing impactful options with Llama. Running in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal, this system permits contributors to develop scalable, regionally related AI functions that handle urgent nationwide challenges in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, training, security, and public providers. Through skilled mentorship, technical coaching, and post-accelerator development alternatives, this system is unlocking Africa’s subsequent technology of AI innovation.
The Llama Impact Accelerator Program (the “Program”) is designed to assist startups in Sub-Saharan Africa constructing AI-powered options utilizing open-source fashions, significantly Llama. Participants chosen into the Program will have interaction in a structured 6-week accelerator comprising coaching, technical periods, and mentorship, adopted by a Demo Day and as much as six (6) months of tailor-made post-program assist (collectively, the “Program Activities”).
Key Benefits
- Opportunity to win equity-free funding of as much as $25,000
– First prize: $25,000
– Second prize: $15,000
– Third prize: $10,000
- Access to workshops and hands-on technical coaching
- Mentorship from business specialists and AI leaders
- Continued post-program steering and visibility
- Winners of the SSA Llama Impact Accelerator program might be invited to pitch for extra funding of as much as $100,000 via the Africa, Middle East, and Turkey (AMET) Llama Summit, and are eligible to apply for the Global Llama Impact Grant and extra funding alternatives
To apply, view the related nation alternative (related web page within the Official Website).
Nigeria
Are you a startup utilizing Llama to construct daring, transformative options for Nigeria? Apply now to the Llama Impact Accelerator Program, targeted on advancing impactful AI innovation in:
- Agriculture (Livestock Innovation)
- Security & Safety (Smart Cities, Environmental Safety, and many others.)
- Healthcare (Biogenetics, Diagnostics, Health Access)
- Wild Card (for standout options past the core focus areas)
This accelerator provides 6 weeks of hands-on coaching, mentorship, and growth assist, led by specialists. The program culminates in a Demo Day, the place chosen startups will pitch for an opportunity to obtain as much as $25,000 in equity-free funding.
After Demo Day, contributors obtain 6 months of tailor-made post-program assist to assist develop their options and achieve entry to different potential funding alternatives from Meta.
Senegal
Are you a startup utilizing open-source AI to resolve real-world challenges in Senegal? Join the Llama Impact Accelerator Program, designed to assist early-stage innovation aligned with nationwide growth priorities.
Proposed options ought to give attention to the next precedence areas:
- Health: Improve entry to care via AI-powered telemedicine, diagnostic instruments, and medical recommendation platforms for underserved communities.
- Agriculture: Provide farmers with instruments for soil high quality and crop situation evaluation, pest administration, market entry and digital abilities growth.
- Education/EdTech: Strengthen youth studying and vocational coaching via AI-powered academic platforms and customized growth instruments.
- Carte blanche: A class open to excellent options exterior of the core areas.
The program contains 6 weeks of hands-on coaching, technical mentoring, and growth assist, delivered by native and worldwide specialists. It concludes with a Demo Day, the place the chosen startups will current their resolution to attempt to win non-equity funding of as much as USD 25,000.
At the tip of the Demo Day, contributors will obtain 6 months of customized post-program assist to strengthen their resolution and entry different funding alternatives provided by Meta.
Kenya
Are you a startup utilizing open-source AI to resolve real-world challenges in Kenya? Join the Llama Impact Accelerator Program, designed to assist early-stage innovation aligned with nationwide growth priorities.
Solutions ought to give attention to the next precedence areas:
- Healthcare
- Education & Employment
- Agriculture
- Public Services
- Wild Card: A class for distinctive options exterior the principle focus areas.
This program contains 6 weeks of hands-on coaching, technical mentorship, and growth assist, delivered by native and worldwide specialists. The program culminates in a Demo Day, the place chosen startups will pitch for an opportunity to obtain as much as $25,000 in equity-free funding.
After Demo Day, contributors obtain 6 months of tailor-made post-program assist to assist develop their options and achieve entry to different potential funding alternatives from Meta.
South Africa
Are you a startup utilizing open-source AI to resolve real-world challenges in South Africa? Join the Llama Impact Accelerator Program, designed to assist early-stage innovation aligned with nationwide growth priorities.
Solutions ought to give attention to the next precedence areas:
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Education
- Public Safety
- Public Service
- Wild Card: A class for distinctive options exterior the principle focus areas.
This program contains 6 weeks of hands-on coaching, technical mentorship, and growth assist, delivered by native and worldwide specialists. The program culminates in a Demo Day, the place chosen startups will pitch for an opportunity to obtain as much as $25,000 in equity-free funding.
After Demo Day, contributors obtain 6 months of tailor-made post-program assist to assist develop their options and achieve entry to different potential funding alternatives from Meta.
Key Dates
The Program will proceed as follows (dates topic to alter on the discretion of the Program Sponsor and companions):
- Application Period: May 26 – June 27, 2025
- Accelerator Phase: August – September 2025
- Demo Day: September – October 2025
- Post-Program Support: October 2025 – March 2026
Participation within the Program is contingent upon full compliance with these Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”) and any relevant agreements or insurance policies. View Terms & Conditions
The Program is open to legally registered firms, groups, or organizations (“Participants”) that:
- Are headquartered within the nation the place the Program is delivered;
- Have a working prototype or minimal viable product (MVP) that integrates or plans to combine the Llama mannequin;
- Address a number of of the main target sectors outlined for their nation (e.g., healthcare, agriculture, training, public security) or current a high-impact resolution beneath the Wild Card class;
- Commit to full participation within the 6-week accelerator, together with each digital and in-person periods;
- Are not beneath any authorized or contractual obligation prohibiting their participation.
Participants should have the ability to exhibit their authorized eligibility upon request and should not be at the moment restricted from collaborating in related initiatives beneath any prior or present funding agreements.
Application and Selection Process
To take part, eligible entities should:
- Complete and submit the official Program application in the course of the open Application Period.
- Provide correct, full, and truthful info, together with technical documentation, staff info, and different supplies as specified within the application type.
Shortlisted candidates could also be invited to take part in extra analysis levels, which can embrace the submission of additional documentation or clarification of their application. Applications might be reviewed by an unbiased panel comprising program supply companions and technical specialists.
Finalists might be chosen primarily based on the next non-exhaustive standards:
- Innovation and originality;
- Technical feasibility and high quality of integration with Llama;
- Alignment with Program sector priorities;
- Team expertise and execution capability;
- Social or industrial impression potential.
All selections of the assessment and choice panel are ultimate and binding. Submission of an application doesn’t assure admission into the Program or receipt of funding.
Participation Requirements
Participants chosen into the Program conform to:
- Fully have interaction in all Program Activities, together with however not restricted to workshops, technical periods, mentorship periods, and neighborhood occasions;
- Abide by the Program’s Code of Conduct, which upholds ideas of professionalism, inclusion, and accountable use of AI;
- Submit progress updates and take part in monitoring and analysis actions throughout and after the Program.
Failure to adjust to participation expectations might end in elimination from the Program and forfeiture of related advantages.
Participants could also be thought of for equity-free funding of as much as $25,000 (the “Seed Funding”), topic to:
- Achievement of milestones as decided by the Program Sponsor and supply companions;
- Submission of required deliverables and compliance with Program reporting;
- Execution of an Agreement detailing funding phrases and disbursement schedules.The availability and disbursement of funds will not be assured and could also be revoked or adjusted on the discretion of the Program staff primarily based on participant conduct or efficiency.
Participants shall retain all rights, title, and curiosity in any mental property (“IP”) developed independently or in the course of the course of the Program. By collaborating, every Participant:
- Grants the Program and its associates a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to make use of the title, brand, and outline of their mission for promotional and reporting functions;
- Acknowledges duty for securing all rights obligatory for any third-party content material used of their resolution;
- Affirms that participation within the Program and submission of supplies won’t violate the rights of any third social gathering.
Nothing in these Terms shall be construed as transferring possession of any Participant’s IP to the Program or its companions. Each Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Program, the Program Sponsor and supply companions, don’t now nor will they’ve sooner or later any responsibility or legal responsibility (direct or oblique; vicarious, contributory or in any other case) with respect to the infringement or safety of Participant’s patent, copyright, or different proprietary rights.
Eligibility Criteria
- Startups which might be constructing scalable AI-powered options that handle real-world challenges within the focus areas of every nation.
- Applicants have to be primarily based within the nation they’re making use of to.
- The program is at the moment open to contributors from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal. Each nation has its personal thematic focus areas aligned with native growth priorities.
Application Deadline
- twenty seventh June, 2025 (for all international locations)
How To Apply
- Fill out our nation particular application type by accessing the hyperlinks above
- Submit your application by 27 June, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Llama Impact Accelerator Program?
The Llama Impact Accelerator Program is an 6-month innovation and capacity-building initiative designed to assist startups constructing impactful options utilizing Llama to develop related options to urgent challenges in this system international locations. The program features a 6-week intensive accelerator and 6 months of post-program assist.
Startups which might be constructing scalable AI-powered options that handle real-world challenges within the focus areas of every nation. Applicants have to be primarily based within the nation they’re making use of to.
- Which international locations are eligible?
The program is at the moment open to contributors from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal. Each nation has its personal thematic focus areas aligned with native growth priorities.
- What are the main target areas of this system?
Focus areas differ by nation however typically embrace sectors akin to Healthcare, Agriculture, Education, Public Safety, and extra. A Wild Card class is additionally accessible to accommodate distinctive concepts exterior the listed sectors.
- Is there funding accessible?
The profitable groups from the Demo Day could also be eligible for equity-free funding of as much as $25,000 to assist the event and deployment of their options.
– First prize: $25,000
– Second prize: $15,000
– Third prize: $10,000
- What type of assist do contributors obtain?
Participants will obtain:
– Expert mentorship
– Technical coaching on Llama
– Exposure to coverage stakeholders and potential companions
– Opportunities to showcase at Demo Day occasion
- What is the choice course of like?
Applications are reviewed primarily based on the relevance of the proposed resolution, technical feasibility, staff capability, alignment with program focus areas, and potential for impression.
You can apply via the country-specific application portal. Visit the related nation web page to start the application course of.
- Do I have to have an present product to apply?
You might apply with an early-stage prototype, however your staff should exhibit sturdy technical capabilities and a transparent plan to develop and deploy the answer throughout/after this system.
- Can I apply to a couple of nation program?
No. Applicants should select one nation program primarily based on the place their resolution might be applied.
- Where can I study extra about Llama?
You can study extra about Llama here.
Calling for Applications 2025: Meta’s Llama is Calling African AI Innovators
