Meta, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has launched the Llama Impact Accelerator program, designed to facilitate the development of impactful AI solutions in Nigeria.
This initiative is part of Meta’s broader commitment to democratising access to responsible AI and supporting local innovation in Nigeria. By working closely with government partners, academia, and civil society, the accelerator will help foster an inclusive and forward-looking AI community in Nigeria.
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“We are excited to partner with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy to launch this AI Accelerator in Nigeria — a country with a robust innovation ecosystem,” said Sade Dada, head of public policy, Anglophone West Africa at Meta.
“By making open-source AI more accessible and relevant to local challenges, we aim to enable the development of solutions that can drive national development and are impactful for communities.”
With a strong focus on open innovation, the program includes a six-week incubation phase, where selected teams will receive technical training and mentorship from AI experts and industry leaders, followed by six months of extended support, including access to additional technical resources and opportunities.
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“This partnership marks a major step forward in our mission to develop a thriving AI ecosystem in Nigeria,” said Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications. “We see AI as a key driver for national development, and this program by Meta will equip innovators with the right tools and guidance to tackle some of our most pressing issues.”
The eight-month program is designed to support early-stage startups leveraging open-source Llama models to address key national and regional challenges across four high-priority areas, including agriculture, security and safety, healthcare, and a category encouraging bold, original applications of AI in any other sector with high impact potential.
