In a significant move to boost Nigeria’s technological landscape, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has joined forces with Meta to launch the Llama Impact Accelerator. This innovative program is designed to promote impactful AI development in Nigeria, driving national development through innovation. According to Dr. Bosun Tijani, the minister, this partnership is a crucial step towards nurturing a thriving AI ecosystem in the country.
The government views AI as a key tool for addressing national challenges, and the Llama Impact Accelerator will equip innovators with vital tools and expert guidance to tackle these challenges. As part of Meta’s broader effort to democratize responsible AI, the program will foster local innovation across Nigeria’s growing technology landscape. Collaboration with government, academia, and civil society will help cultivate a more inclusive, forward-looking AI community in the country.
The eight-month program will target early-stage startups using open-source Llama models to tackle national and regional challenges in four key areas: agriculture, security and safety, healthcare, and a ‘wild card’ category for high-impact innovations in any other field. The ‘wild card’ category is designed to encourage bold and creative AI applications that could bring substantial impact to underserved sectors.
The program will commence with a six-week incubation phase, offering technical training and mentorship from industry leaders and AI professionals. This will be followed by six months of extended support, including access to further technical resources and relevant opportunities for growth and scaling. Meta has also partnered with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to support the initiative.
By launching the Llama Impact Accelerator, Meta aims to empower communities through open-source AI, tailored to address Nigeria’s unique development challenges. The program offers local talent the infrastructure, tools, and mentorship needed to build responsible solutions using open-source models like Meta’s Llama. With this initiative, Nigeria’s strong innovation ecosystem and growing pool of AI talent are set to receive a significant boost, driving the country’s technological advancement and economic growth.
