Meta has announced the launch of its Llama Impact Accelerator, a six-week program that is equity-free and designed to support open-source AI entrepreneurs in four African tech hubs.

The tech hubs include: Lagos, Nigeria; Nairobi, Kenya; Dakar, Senegal; and Johannesburg, South Africa.

The initiative encompasses a combination of technical training, business mentorship, funding, and connections to local innovation agencies.

Balkissa Idé Siddo, Meta’s Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, underscored that “Africa is not just the future Mo; it is a present full of promise and potential.”

Meta’s objective is to democratize AI development and enable innovators to develop solutions that are specifically designed for agriculture, health, financial inclusion, education, public safety, and other sectors by making Llama’s ecosystem freely available.

The accelerator will traverse Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa over the next two months, providing participating businesses with access to local incubators and policy ecosystems.

Founders who are selected will receive support to scale technologies that address region-specific challenges.

The excitement has been tangible in communities that prioritize technology, spanning from Lagos to Cape Town.

According to the founders of the startup, this initiative may mark the first occasion on which Meta provides significant, localized AI support to the ecosystem.

According to a founder who spoke with Tech in Africa, they are optimistic that locally developed solutions will eventually take precedence over imported ones.

This accelerator is a significant milestone as Africa’s digital transformation accelerates.

It not only provides resources but also indicates that open-source AI from the continent is prepared for the global stage, and Meta is lending its support.