Microsoft founder Bill Gates has announced his intention to dedicate the majority of his wealth to enhancing health and education services across Africa over the next two decades.
The 69-year-old stated that “by unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity.”
Speaking in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, Gates also encouraged Africa’s young innovators to consider leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare on the continent.
Gates announced last month his commitment to give away 99% of his substantial fortune – which he anticipates will reach $200 billion (£150 billion) – by 2045, the year his foundation plans to conclude its operations.
“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,” he said during an address at the African Union (AU) headquarters.
Mozambique’s former First Lady Graça Machel welcomed his announcement, describing it as coming at a “moment of crisis.”
“We are counting on Mr Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us,” she affirmed.
Concerns have been raised about the future of healthcare in Africa following the US government’s cuts to aid programmes, including those for HIV/Aids treatment, as part of US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy.
Gates reassured that his foundation, with its extensive history of work in Africa, would prioritize improving 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 explained. “Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference.”
Addressing young innovators, the tech billionaire highlighted the transformative impact of mobile phones on banking in Africa and argued that AI should now be harnessed for the continent’s benefit.
“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,” he stated.
Gates cited Rwanda as an example, noting its progress in enhancing services through AI-enabled ultrasound to identify high-risk pregnancies.
The Gates Foundation outlined its three core priorities: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensuring the next generation grows up free from deadly infectious diseases, and lifting millions out of poverty. “At the end of 20 years, the foundation will sunset its operations,” the foundation stated.
Last month, Gates indicated his intention to accelerate his philanthropic giving through his foundation. “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,” he wrote in a blog post.
Despite giving away 99% of his wealth, Bloomberg estimates that the world’s fifth-richest person would still remain a billionaire.
Together with Paul Allen, Gates co-founded Microsoft in 1975, which rapidly became a dominant force in the software and technology sectors. Over recent decades, Gates has gradually reduced his involvement with the company, resigning as CEO in 2000 and as chairman in 2014.
He credited investor Warren Buffett and other philanthropists as his inspiration for his significant charitable giving.
However, the Gates Foundation has faced criticism, with some alleging that Gates utilizes its charitable status to avoid taxes and that it exerts undue influence over the global health system.
