PHILANTHROPIST Bill Gates has announced a sweeping $200bn commitment over the next 20 years — with the majority of the funds set to drive health, education and innovation across Africa.
Speaking at the African Union’s Nelson Mandela Hall to more than 12,000 leaders, diplomats, health professionals, and young innovators, Gates called on African governments to harness this moment of possibility and build systems that unlock prosperity.
‘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 audience.
Prioritising health to fuel growth
Gates called for African-led strategies, spotlighting countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda and Nigeria for achieving gains by focusing on primary healthcare, data-driven policy, and frontline innovation.
He stressed that investing in maternal nutrition and early childhood care has the biggest long-term impact:
‘What we’ve learned is that helping the mother be healthy and have great nutrition before and during pregnancy delivers the strongest results. Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years makes all the difference.’
AI and local innovation take centre stage
Gates also spoke on the potential of artificial intelligence to transform African health systems. He praised Rwanda’s deployment of AI-assisted ultrasound scans to detect high-risk pregnancies and said Africa had a unique opportunity to embed AI into healthcare from the ground up.
‘Africa skipped traditional banking. You now have a chance to design healthcare systems where AI is integrated from the start,’ he said, citing the mobile banking revolution as a precedent.
He commended young African innovators for using technology to tackle urgent local problems and said the Gates Foundation will support this momentum through long-term partnerships.
African leaders echo the call for partnership
Prominent African voices — including WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, and advocate Graça Machel — joined Gates in urging deeper collaboration.
‘We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to walk this path of transformation alongside us,’ said Machel, who called the current global climate a ‘moment of crisis’ that demands bold, sustained partnerships.
Dr Okonjo-Iweala added that Africa’s progress in health has come from strong local leadership and partnerships that deliver real results.
High-level visits and frontline engagement
Following his address, Gates joined the foundation’s Africa director Dr Paulin Basinga for a fireside chat on development, innovation, and investment.
He also visited Ethiopia, where he met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and public health leaders to discuss resilience and reform in the face of reduced foreign aid. He participated in a roundtable on Ethiopia’s salt fortification programme and affirmed the foundation’s deepening regional presence.
Gates now travels to Nigeria for meetings with President Bola Tinubu, state leaders, scientists and entrepreneurs. He will take part in a Goalkeepers Nigeria event and assess progress on AI and primary healthcare reform.
‘We opened our first African office in Ethiopia 13 years ago,’ Gates said. ‘Today, we’re in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Senegal. That’s how we strengthen lasting partnerships.’
Countdown to impact
Gates’ trip comes weeks after the foundation’s May 8 announcement that it would invest $200bn over two decades before winding down operations by 2045. Its three focus areas: ending preventable maternal and child deaths, eliminating infectious diseases, and lifting millions out of poverty.
Over the past 20 years, the Gates Foundation has played a leading role in global health, contributing to innovations and partnerships that helped save over 80 million lives — including through Gavi and the Global Fund.
‘Even in the most rural areas, the determination of African communities to drive change is inspiring,’ Gates said. ‘The progress we’ve seen so far is just the beginning.’
