Majority of my wealth will be spent addresing challenges in Africa – Bill Gates
Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, says most of his $200 billion donation over the next twenty years will go to Africa.
Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday, Gates addressed over 12,000 participants including government officials, health workers, development experts, and youth leaders.
“I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years,” Gates said.
“The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa.”
He said resilient health systems and sustainable development cannot be achieved without African leadership and homegrown solutions.
“By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity – and that path is an exciting thing to be part of,” he added.
‘PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DELIVERS THE STRONGEST RESULTS’
Gates called for deeper investment in primary healthcare, describing it as foundational to improving well-being and reducing inequality across the continent.
“With primary healthcare, what we’ve learned is that helping the mother be healthy and have great nutrition before she gets pregnant, while she is pregnant, delivers the strongest results,” he said.
“Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference.”
He cited countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia as examples of how data, technology, and community-based systems are reducing child mortality and combating diseases like malaria and HIV.
“I’ve always been inspired by the hard work of Africans even in places with very limited resources. The kind of fieldwork to get solutions out, even in the most rural areas, has been incredible,” Gates added.
AFRICA’S LEAP INTO AI AND TECH INNOVATION
Gates highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in solving local challenges, especially in healthcare. He pointed to Rwanda’s use of AI-enabled ultrasound to identify high-risk pregnancies early and improve maternal care.
“I’m seeing young people in Africa embracing this and thinking about how it applies to the problems they want to solve,” he added.
AFRICAN LEADERS RALLY BEHIND GATES’ VISION
Following his address, Gates joined Paulin Basinga, the foundation’s Africa director, for a fireside chat on advancing Africa’s development agenda through innovation and partnerships.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO); Amina Mohammed, UN deputy secretary-general; and Graça Machel, an advocate for women and children, also expressed support for Gates’ commitment to Africa.
Machel described Africa’s current situation as “a moment of crisis” while urging sustained partnerships to advance the continent’s development goals.
“Mr Gates’ long-standing partnership with Africa reflects a deep understanding of these challenges and a respect for African leadership, ideas and innovation,” she said.
“We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us.”
Also speaking, Okonjo-Iweala said Africa’s health gains are the outcome of “strong government leadership, resilient communities, and partnerships that deliver results.”
This week, Gates is visiting Ethiopia and Nigeria to assess how both countries are advancing development goals amid shifting global aid dynamics.
In Ethiopia, he met with Abiy Ahmed, the prime minister and joined a roundtable with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute on the country’s iodine-folic acid double-fortified salt initiative.
“Our foundation has an increasing commitment to Africa,” Gates said.
“Our first African office was here in Ethiopia about 13 years ago. Now we have offices in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal. That’s a great way for us to strengthen partnerships.”
He will next travel to Nigeria to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders to discuss healthcare reforms.
He is also expected to engage with scientists working on Nigeria’s national AI strategy and participate in a Goalkeepers Nigeria event.
Since its inception, the Gates Foundation says it has helped develop more than 100 innovations and contributed to saving over 80 million lives globally through initiatives like Gavi and the Global Fund
