Addis Ababa: Gates Foundation will invest 200 billion USD over the coming 20 years to promote global health and well-being, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates said today. Bill Gates made the statement during an event at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, marking the 25 years of Gates Foundation’s services in the continent.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, over the last two decades, the Gates Foundation has collaborated with African partners to save lives, develop vaccines, and strengthen systems. The foundation has helped catalyze over 100 innovations and contributed to saving more than 80 million lives through Gavi and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
In an address today in Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union, Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates urged African leaders to accelerate progress in health and development through innovation and partnership. He announced that most of the 200 billion USD investment over the next 20 years will be directed to Africa, focusing o
n partnering with governments that prioritize the health and well-being of their people.
The philanthropist aims to prevent deaths and alleviate poverty, concentrating on low-and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia. Bill Gates was awarded Ethiopia’s highest award for his philanthropic impact in the country over the past 25 years. Despite concerns, Gates remains optimistic about innovations and partnerships that can improve lives and enable a healthy life for everyone. He stressed that Africa must achieve independence in its health care systems by 2045.
Gates highlighted the importance of a balanced diet and agriculture as crucial for a healthy generation, emphasizing the need to provide farmers with accurate data, including weather, pricing, and soil-specific fertilizer information. He underscored the significance of digital public infrastructure, allowing governments to have effective identity schemes and facilitating transactions and savings via mobile phones.
For Gates, Artificial Intelligence (
AI) has the potential to assist farmers, transform health care services, and enable early detection of pregnancies. He noted that AI is an incredible opportunity and, despite its challenges, can significantly impact health, education, and agriculture. Gates emphasized the need for fair access and local community involvement in creating solutions, ensuring AI benefits those it serves.
Graça Machel, founder of the Graça Machel Trust, praised Bill Gates for his collective action, courage, and compassion in addressing Africa’s challenges. She highlighted his dedication to the continent’s progress and understanding of its problems and innovations, underscoring the symbolic significance of Gates speaking from the African Union’s home.
Machel called on Africans to awaken their enduring spirit of resilience, to rise, rebuild, and re-imagine their future. She emphasized leadership defined by service, recognizing dignity in others, uplifting voices, and working toward a future anchored in justice and compassion.