Meta, in partnership with Data Science Africa, has announced the five winners of its 2025 Llama Impact Grant for Startups and Researchers at the UN General Assembly’s Unstoppable Africa event. The program, launched in 2023, supports innovators applying Llama’s open-source AI models to solve pressing challenges in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and digital inclusion. Each selected project will receive $20,000 in funding, technical mentorship, and access to a network of policymakers and ecosystem partners.
Empowering African AI Innovation
The grant program reflects Meta’s growing commitment to advancing artificial intelligence innovation in Africa, a region experiencing rapid adoption of digital solutions. According to Meta, more than 800 applications from over 90 countries were submitted globally this year, underscoring the demand for accessible AI tools. The winners in Sub-Saharan Africa were chosen for their ability to demonstrate not only technical ingenuity but also tangible societal impact.
Spotlight on Vambo AI
Among the recipients is South Africa’s Vambo AI, founded by Chido Dzinotyiwei, which is building multilingual AI infrastructure for the continent. The platform develops both proprietary and open-source models to support translation, transcription, generation, and search across more than 60 African languages. By treating language as critical infrastructure, Vambo AI aims to accelerate digital inclusion and create new pathways for innovation.
PropelMapper’s Agricultural Solutions
Also from South Africa, PropelMapper, created by Reghardt Adriaan Pretorius and Mark Donne, is using Llama-based tools to enhance agricultural advisory services. Its platform generates personalised farmer podcasts, turns debriefs into professional reports, and integrates satellite imagery to deliver timely intervention alerts. The initiative seeks to raise farmer productivity and improve food security across rural communities.
Radease and Access to Medicines
Nigeria’s Radease, led by co-founder and CEO Taiwo Oyewole, is focused on addressing gaps in healthcare accessibility. The company equips Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendors with WhatsApp-based AI tools that provide accurate health information and resources to underserved populations. By simplifying access to reliable medicines, Radease strengthens trust in community-level healthcare.
TeenApp and Youth Health Education
In Uganda, TeenApp was developed at Makerere University’s AI and Data Science Centre under the leadership of researcher and lecturer Rahman Sanya. The platform delivers responsible AI-driven sexual and reproductive health education tailored for young people. By offering accurate and youth-friendly information, TeenApp is working to bridge information gaps and support healthier communities.
Easy Read Africa’s Accessibility Mission
Rwanda’s Easy Read Africa, led by Isaac Manzi, is tackling the challenge of information accessibility for people with cognitive and learning difficulties. The solution uses AI to simplify complex documents into text, visuals, and natural voice narration. This approach ensures that critical information can reach wider audiences, from educational material to public health guidance.
Meta’s Broader AI Commitment
Meta emphasised that its family of Llama AI models has been downloaded over one billion times globally, reflecting widespread adoption of open-source AI tools. The latest release, Llama 3.3, continues this trend by offering organisations free access to adapt and build on its capabilities. By supporting African-led initiatives, Meta is showcasing how open-source AI can be applied to real-world problems in developing regions.
The winners of the Llama Impact Grant exemplify the diverse and impactful ways AI is being harnessed across Africa. From agriculture and healthcare to language accessibility and youth education, these projects highlight the transformative potential of locally driven innovation. By combining funding, mentorship, and access to global networks, Meta and Data Science Africa are helping these startups and researchers scale their solutions and drive positive change across the continent.