The Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has partnered with Meta to launch the Liama Impact Accelerator, a funding initiative for early-stage AI-driven startups.
The announcement was made by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, through a LinkedIn post on Monday, June 16, 2025, where he invited interested persons to apply for the programme.
“By equipping early-stage startups with the tools, expertise and ecosystem connections needed to build socially relevant AI—especially in agriculture, healthcare, security and beyond—we are reinforcing our commitment to a digital future that works for every Nigerian,” the minister stated.
What Is the Liama Impact Accelerator Programme?
According to the Minister, the Liama Impact Accelerator is an initiative that brings equity-free funding, six weeks of technical training and mentorship, followed by six months of post-program support to Nigerian innovators.
The programme culminates in a high-profile Demo Day, where the most promising startups will pitch their innovations to a panel of judges, policy stakeholders, and potential partners.
The top three teams will receive equity-free funding, distributed as follows:
- First Prize: $25,000
- Second Prize: $15,000
- Third Prize: $10,000
Techparley gathered that all participants after the Demo Day will continue to receive six months of tailored post-program support, including guidance, partnership opportunities, and connections to other potential funding sources.
Who Can Apply and What Are the Eligibility Criteria?
To qualify for the programme, applicants must:
- Be based in Nigeria (applications also open in Kenya, South Africa, and Senegal).
- Be developing scalable, AI-powered solutions relevant to the programme’s focus sectors.
- Demonstrate technical feasibility, a capable founding team, and clear impact potential.
Applications will be evaluated based on the relevance and impact of the proposed AI solution, technical feasibility, strength and capacity of the founding team.
To apply, Nigerian innovators can visit the dedicated country portal here. The deadline for applications is June 27, 2025. Selected applicants will be notified and onboarded into the accelerator immediately after the deadline.
ALSO READ: Complete Guide on How to Apply for Tech Accelerator Programmes with Ease
Talking Points —AI as a Nation-Building Tool
With the Liama Impact Accelerator, experts have noted that Nigeria is taking a step toward building a future-ready innovation ecosystem, one that leverages artificial intelligence not just for tech evolution, but for nation-building.
By nurturing AI applications that can transform food systems, public health, education, and national security, the programme positions Nigeria at the heart of Africa’s AI revolution.
