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Meta Unveils Llama 3.1 Impact Grants to Empower  AI-Driven Organisations Across Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey

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August 5, 2024 — Meta is excited to announce the launch of the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants, continuing its commitment to supporting innovative use cases of open-source AI to address critical global challenges. Building on the success of previous grant programs, the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants will provide up to $2 million USD in funding to organisations worldwide.

The Llama 3.1 Impact Grants program invites proposals from organisations with ideas for using Llama 3.1 to address social challenges in their communities. Applications in areas such as economic development, science and innovation, public service and more will be given special consideration. Selected recipients will receive up to $500,000 USD and winners will be announced early next year.

Speaking about the grant, Kojo Boakye, Vice President, Public Policy, Africa, the Middle East, and Turkiye, Meta commented: “We’re inspired by the diverse projects we’ve seen developers undertake around the world to positively impact their communities by building with Llama. We believe AI has more potential than any other modern technology to increase human productivity, creativity, and quality of life—and to accelerate economic growth while unlocking progress in medical and scientific research. The Llama 3.1 Impact Grants program presents an opportunity to further empower organisations to leverage AI for social good and to drive meaningful change.”

To support prospective applicants, Meta will host a series of regional events, including virtual events, in-person hackathons, workshops, and training sessions in Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Korea, Latin America, North America, Pakistan, Singapore, Sub-Saharan Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. These events will provide technical guidance and mentorship, fostering the development of impactful applications of Llama 3.1 in local contexts. Organisations participating in these events will be eligible for additional specialised awards of up to $100,000 USD.

The inaugural Llama Impact Grants, announced in October 2023, received over 800 applications from 90+ countries. The 20 finalists have submitted their final proposals, and the grant recipients will be announced in September, alongside the recipients of the Llama Impact Innovation Awards.

The application window for the Llama 3.1 Impact Grants is open from Monday, August 5, 2024, to Friday, November 22, 2024. Meta encourages eligible organisations to submit their proposals and take advantage of this opportunity to drive social impact through AI.  All proposals will be evaluated using the selection criteria here.

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Business and Brand

Interswitch Career Fair 4.0 Advances Africa’s Talent Agenda with Bold Ideas and Practical Impact

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Interswitch Group, one of Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce companies, recently hosted the fourth edition of its flagship Career Fair at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos. Themed “The Talent Paradox: Enabling the Talent Ecosystem in Africa,” the one-day event brought together thousands including industry leaders, professionals, students, and job seekers for an immersive experience focused on unlocking the potential within Africa’s talent pipeline.

During the event, participants engaged in a dynamic series of keynotes, panel sessions, and mentoring sessions that challenged conventional thinking and sparked new ideas around the future of work in Africa. From practical career resources to strategic insights, the Career Fair delivered a holistic experience designed to equip attendees with tools for success in a fast-evolving labour market.

Setting a compelling tone for the event, Mitchell Elegbe, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch Group, delivered an inspiring message to participants. Drawing on his entrepreneurial journey, he emphasised the power of resilience, bold thinking, authenticity, purpose, and a deep commitment to solving real problems. Addressing the event attendees, he said –

“Starting Interswitch at a young age wasn’t easy. The odds were stacked high, but I was determined to break new ground in Nigeria’s emerging tech scene and that grit shaped what you see today. In a world where visibility is often mistaken for value, one must avoid falling into the trap of inflating your skills because of the ‘LinkedIn effect’. Authenticity builds trust. Embrace your learning curves, own your gaps, and grow deliberately. More importantly, focus on creating real value. Solving meaningful problems is not just the gateway to career success, it’s how we build lasting impact.”

Oremeyi Akah, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Interswitch, who was one of the company’s first employees, opened the programme with an engaging session that combined storytelling and LEGO block demonstrations. She highlighted how creativity, resourcefulness, consistency, and incremental action can drive impactful career outcomes.

During the session, Franklin Ali, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Interswitch Group noted that the Interswitch career fair remains the firm’s flagship platform for supporting the best of Africa’s rich and diverse talent. 

Adding further depth, Dr. Harry Akinola, Executive Director, JP Morgan Chase & Co, delivered a keynote on self-awareness and personal development. He encouraged young professionals to identify their unique strengths, define their own paths, and commit to continuous learning.

Other notable speakers included Kemi Okusanya, Chief Executive Officer, Hydrogen; Charles Ifedi, Founder, eBanqo; Lanre Basamta, Co-Founder, Optimus AI Labs; Isioma Utomi, CEO, Catalyst Experience Solutions, among others.

Together, they addressed systemic challenges affecting Africa’s talent ecosystem, identifying the need for scalable skilling programmes, agile hiring models, and stronger collaboration between public and private sectors in supporting the next generation of African innovators.

With a mix of mentorship sessions, practical career resources, and exposure to recruiters and hiring managers, the Interswitch Career Fair once again lived up to its reputation as one of Africa’s most impactful platforms for talent development, knowledge exchange, and opportunity creation.

As the world of work becomes increasingly dynamic, digital, and global, Interswitch continues to lead the way by championing a talent agenda that is inclusive, future-focused, and distinctly African.

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TECNO Champions a New Era of AI Imaging and Peak Performance with the Launch of CAMON 40 Premier 5G

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Global innovative technology brand, TECNO, has officially unveiled the CAMON 40 Premier 5G, the flagship model in its newly launched CAMON 40 Series. Designed to revolutionize mobile photography and everyday smartphone use, the CAMON 40 Premier 5G introduces groundbreaking AI-powered imaging, seamless 5G connectivity, and high-speed performance driven by an advanced MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor.

The CAMON 40 Series features four models; CAMON 40, CAMON 40 Pro, CAMON 40 Pro 5G, and CAMON 40 Premier 5G, each equipped with powerful capabilities to meet the evolving needs of modern smartphone users. The Premier 5G, in particular, stands out with its advanced imaging system and performance technology tailored for creatives, tech-savvy users and those who value both aesthetics and functionality. MD/CEO at Transsion, Chidi Okonkwo said “The CAMON 40 Premier 5G represents a major leap forward in mobile photography and processing power. With MediaTek’s flagship-level Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chipset, users can experience effortless multitasking, smoother gaming, and superior energy efficiency. Whether you’re capturing cinematic videos or taking photos in motion with the AI FlashSnap, this device adapts intelligently to your needs by delivering consistently brilliant results with ease.” The CAMON 40 Premier 5G is equipped with a Sony IMX890 50MP OIS main camera, accompanied by a 50MP 2x portrait lens and a 114-degree ultra-wide 50MP autofocus camera. Together, they enable DSLR-level photography, including professional-grade portraits, expansive landscapes and stunning low-light shots. Additionally, the AI FlashSnap function ensures rapid, ultra-clear image capture even in dynamic scenarios, perfect for content creators and everyday users alike.

On the performance front, the MediaTek Dimensity 83500 Ultimate delivers flagship-level computing with an ultra-efficient 4nm architecture. The processor is built for sustained power, enabling high-speed 5G connectivity, vivid graphics rendering and real-time AI enhancements without draining battery life. The CAMON 40 Premier 5G also includes a vibrant AMOLED display, a vibration-sensing in-display fingerprint scanner, and a 5100mAh battery with 70W ultra-fast charging, providing a sleek yet powerful device that fits effortlessly into modern lifestyles. With the CAMON 40 Series, TECNO continues to redefine what a smartphone can achieve by combining cutting-edge technology with elegant design and unmatched affordability. The CAMON 40 Premier 5G is available at authorized TECNO retail outlets and platforms nationwide.

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Quickteller, Verve Join Forces with Africa Magic to Spotlight African Talent at 11th AMVCAs

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11th AMVCAs Lagos, Nigeria – May 2, 2025 – Quickteller, leading digital payments platform powered by Interswitch, and Verve, Africa’s foremost payment cards and digital tokens brand, have been unveiled as official sponsors of the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), scheduled to hold on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. As the AMVCA continues to celebrate excellence and innovation in African film, television, and digital content, Quickteller and Verve are proud to partner with this flagship event, further reaffirming their commitment to supporting creativity, storytelling, and talent development across the continent. In line with the sponsorship, Verve will sponsor the Best Lead Actor award category, celebrating excellence in performance, while Quickteller will sponsor the Best Score/Music award, recognising the outstanding contributions of music creators to African storytelling. This year’s AMVCA will feature 27 award categories, spanning audience-voted and jury-decided sections. Among the standout nominees are productions such as Seven Doors, Lisabi: The Uprising, and Skeleton Coast, alongside celebrated actors and actresses including Adedimeji Lateef, Femi Adebayo, Chioma Chukwuka, and Bimbo Ademoye. The ceremony will also see the presentation of two special recognition awards — the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Trailblazer Award, honouring individuals who have made significant contributions to Africa’s entertainment industry. Speaking on the sponsorship, Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, Interswitch Group, said: “At Interswitch, we are passionate about enabling growth and celebrating excellence across different spheres of life, including the creative industry. Through our brands Quickteller and Verve, we are proud to support the AMVCA in spotlighting the incredible talent and innovation shaping Africa’s entertainment landscape. We believe that stories have the power to unite, uplift, and inspire. We are honoured to stand with the creators who are telling Africa’s stories with authenticity, passion, and brilliance. We look forward to an inspiring celebration of African storytelling at its finest.” Organised by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice, the AMVCA continues to serve as a platform for recognising and rewarding exceptional talents that are shaping Africa’s creative future. As proud champions of African creativity, Quickteller and Verve are delighted to celebrate the individuals and productions that have captivated audiences across the continent and beyond. The 11th AMVCA promises to be an unforgettable evening of glamour, celebration and recognition, showcasing the best of Africa’s film and television industry. Viewers can catch all the excitement live across all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv on May 10, 2025. Public voting for audience-voted categories remains open until May 4, 2025, via the official AMVCA website: www.africamagic.tv/AMVCA.

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