Meta has named five winners of its Llama Impact Grants in Sub-Saharan Africa, part of a global initiative launched in March 2025 to apply its open-source Llama large language model to regional challenges. Each winner receives $20,000 in funding, technical mentorship, networking opportunities and access to policy and ecosystem stakeholders.
The recipients are:
- Vambo AI (South Africa): Multilingual AI infrastructure for 60+ African languages to advance digital inclusion.
- PropelMapper (South Africa): AI tools for agriculture advisors, including podcasts, reports and satellite analysis.
- Radease (Nigeria): WhatsApp-based AI tools improving access to safe medicines in underserved areas.
- TeenApp (Uganda): Youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health education guided by responsible AI.
- Easy Read Africa (Rwanda): Simplified text, visuals and audio for people with cognitive and learning challenges.
Meta said the winners reflect Africa’s vibrant AI ecosystem and the potential of open-source models to drive impact. Since launching in 2023, the Llama Impact Grant program has attracted more than 800 applications from over 90 countries.
