Bill Gates will channel the majority of his $200 billion fortune to Africa over the next two decades, focusing on health care, education, and innovation to drive inclusive growth across the continent.
Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa on Monday, Gates urged African governments to prioritize public health and embrace technology as a catalyst for economic transformation.
“I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years,” Gates told an audience of more than 12,000 policymakers, development partners, and youth leaders. “The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa.”
Through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gates is doubling down on his commitment to Africa amid shifting donor priorities and declining global aid. The foundation will work with governments that “put people’s health and wellbeing first” and are willing to invest in scalable innovation.
AI, Health Tech Take Center Stage
Gates cited advances in artificial intelligence, maternal care, and mobile health systems as areas where Africa could leapfrog legacy infrastructure. In particular, he highlighted Rwanda’s use of AI-powered ultrasound tools that detect high-risk pregnancies and enable faster interventions.
“Africa skipped traditional banking and went straight to mobile money,” Gates said. “Now you have the opportunity to do the same with healthcare—integrating AI from the start.”
He pointed to Ethiopia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe as examples of governments using data and digital tools to improve health outcomes and reduce child mortality.
Partnerships Over Patronage
Gates Foundation plans to sunset its operations after 20 years, aiming to maximize impact within a set time frame. Gates foundation’s $200 billion strategy centers on three pillars: ending preventable maternal and child deaths, eradicating infectious diseases, and reducing poverty.
$80 Billion Lives Saved—and Counting
Over the past two decades, the Gates Foundation has helped catalyze more than 100 global health innovations and contributed to saving over 80 million lives, including through partnerships with Gavi and The Global Fund.
With offices in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, and South Africa, the foundation is increasingly relying on local talent and institutions to shape its African strategy.
“The kind of field work I’ve seen in Africa—in some of the toughest conditions—has been remarkable,” Gates said. “The next 20 years are about unlocking even more of that potential.”
