FG, Meta Launch AI Accelerator to Drive Innovation in Nigeria

In a strategic move to advance artificial intelligence (AI) innovation in Nigeria, the Federal Government has partnered with global tech giant, Meta, to launch the Llama Impact Accelerator—a program aimed at supporting early-stage startups building impactful AI solutions.

The initiative, announced through the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy (FMCIDE) in collaboration with the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is an eight-month accelerator programme designed to empower innovators using Meta’s open-source Llama models.

Startups will focus on solving national challenges across four priority sectors: agriculture, healthcare, security & safety, and a wild card category, encouraging groundbreaking applications of AI in any other high-impact domain.

The programme includes an intensive six-week incubation phase offering technical training and mentorship from leading AI experts. This will be followed by six months of extended support, giving teams access to resources, expert guidance, and exposure opportunities to scale their solutions.

Meta’s Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Sade Dada, said the initiative underscores Meta’s commitment to nurturing local innovation:

“We’re excited to partner with the Ministry to launch this AI Accelerator in Nigeria. By making open-source AI more accessible and relevant to local challenges, we aim to enable the development of solutions that can drive real impact in communities.”

Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, described the partnership as a key milestone in building a vibrant AI ecosystem in Nigeria.

“We see AI as a crucial enabler for national development, and this collaboration with Meta equips our innovators with the tools and support needed to address critical challenges,” he said.

Also speaking, Meta’s Safety Policy Manager for Africa, Middle East & Turkey, Sylvia Musalagani, highlighted the importance of digital safety:

“We’re proud to bring these resources to Nigeria to help families navigate online spaces more safely while fostering innovation.”

The Llama Impact Accelerator stands as a significant step toward localizing AI development and positioning Nigeria as a leader in tech-driven solutions across Africa.