Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has vowed to spend most of his vast fortune on improving health and education across Africa over the next two decades. Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Gates said his philanthropic efforts would help unlock human potential on the continent, driving prosperity for all its countries.
“I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,” Gates told the 12,000 officials, diplomats, and youth leaders attending the event.
Gates emphasised the importance of good health and education as the foundation for development. “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 said.
His foundation plans to concentrate on primary healthcare, especially improving maternal and child health. “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,” Gates explained. He added that good nutrition for children in their first four years is crucial to long-term success.
Harnessing technology: AI and innovation for Africa’s future
The billionaire encouraged young African innovators to consider how artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionise healthcare. “Africa largely skipped traditional banking and now you have a chance, as you build your next generation healthcare systems, to think about how AI is built into that,” Gates said. He pointed to Rwanda’s use of AI-enabled ultrasound technology to identify high-risk pregnancies as a successful example.
Responding to reduced foreign aid
Gates’ announcement comes at a time when US foreign aid to Africa has been drastically cut under former President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy. This reduction has affected crucial healthcare programmes, including HIV/AIDS treatment.
Mozambique’s former First Lady Graça Machel welcomed Gates’ commitment, saying it arrived “in a moment of crisis.” She expressed hope for sustained collaboration, stating, “We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us.”
The scale and legacy of giving
Last month, Gates revealed he plans to give away 99% of his fortune, which he expects to reach $200 billion (£150 billion) by 2045. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation intends to close its doors after two decades of concentrated philanthropy.
“People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” Gates wrote in a blog post. Despite giving away nearly all his wealth, Bloomberg estimates he will remain a billionaire.
Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 alongside Paul Allen. The company soon became a dominant force in the software industry. Over the years, Gates has gradually stepped back from day-to-day operations, resigning as CEO in 2000 and as chairman in 2014. Today, he focuses mostly on philanthropic work, while still serving as an advisor to Microsoft.
Inspired by philanthropists like Warren Buffett, Gates has shaped his giving philosophy around addressing critical global challenges, particularly those affecting poor and vulnerable populations.
Despite widespread praise, some critics argue the Gates Foundation uses its charitable status to reduce tax liabilities and wields excessive influence over global health policies. Nevertheless, Gates remains a major figure in international development.
“I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,” Gates told the 12,000 officials, diplomats, and youth leaders attending the event.
Gates emphasised the importance of good health and education as the foundation for development. “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 said.
His foundation plans to concentrate on primary healthcare, especially improving maternal and child health. “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,” Gates explained. He added that good nutrition for children in their first four years is crucial to long-term success.
Harnessing technology: AI and innovation for Africa’s future
The billionaire encouraged young African innovators to consider how artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionise healthcare. “Africa largely skipped traditional banking and now you have a chance, as you build your next generation healthcare systems, to think about how AI is built into that,” Gates said. He pointed to Rwanda’s use of AI-enabled ultrasound technology to identify high-risk pregnancies as a successful example.
Responding to reduced foreign aid
Gates’ announcement comes at a time when US foreign aid to Africa has been drastically cut under former President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy. This reduction has affected crucial healthcare programmes, including HIV/AIDS treatment.
Mozambique’s former First Lady Graça Machel welcomed Gates’ commitment, saying it arrived “in a moment of crisis.” She expressed hope for sustained collaboration, stating, “We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us.”
The scale and legacy of giving
Last month, Gates revealed he plans to give away 99% of his fortune, which he expects to reach $200 billion (£150 billion) by 2045. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation intends to close its doors after two decades of concentrated philanthropy.
“People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” Gates wrote in a blog post. Despite giving away nearly all his wealth, Bloomberg estimates he will remain a billionaire.
Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975 alongside Paul Allen. The company soon became a dominant force in the software industry. Over the years, Gates has gradually stepped back from day-to-day operations, resigning as CEO in 2000 and as chairman in 2014. Today, he focuses mostly on philanthropic work, while still serving as an advisor to Microsoft.
Inspired by philanthropists like Warren Buffett, Gates has shaped his giving philosophy around addressing critical global challenges, particularly those affecting poor and vulnerable populations.
Despite widespread praise, some critics argue the Gates Foundation uses its charitable status to reduce tax liabilities and wields excessive influence over global health policies. Nevertheless, Gates remains a major figure in international development.
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