Bill Gates Pledges Majority of his $200B to Africa in Landmark AU Address

Speaking at the African Union’s Nelson Mandela Hall, Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates announced that most of his $200 billion commitment over the next 20 years will be directed to Africa, in partnership with governments prioritizing health, education, and innovation.

“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.”

Addressing over 12,000 attendees, Gates emphasized investing in human potential, praising countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe for driving progress amid global funding shifts.

“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.

Gates highlighted the impact of primary healthcare, especially maternal and early childhood nutrition. “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.

Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference,” he noted.

Leaders including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Amina J. Mohammed, and Graça Machel praised the foundation’s deepening partnership with Africa. Machel called this “a moment of crisis,” and lauded Gates’ long-standing respect for African-led innovation.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala credited “strong government action, resilient communities, and results-driven partnerships” for Africa’s health progress.

Gates added,

“I’ve always been inspired by the hard work of Africans even in places with very limited resources.” He praised Rwanda’s use of AI, such as AI-enabled ultrasounds that detect high-risk pregnancies earlier.

Following his speech, Gates joined Dr. Paulin Basinga for a dialogue on sustainable partnerships. His visit includes meetings with African leaders and a continued focus on health and AI innovation. [CONTINUE READING HERE]>>>>>