Bill Gates to spend most of $200 billion fortune on Africa’s health and education

Bill Gates has pledged that most of his $200 billion fortune will be dedicated to improving health and education in Africa over the next 20 years.

Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Gates said, "By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity."

He announced that the majority of his wealth will be used to address key challenges on the continent, focusing especially on primary healthcare.

Gates recently committed to giving away 99% of his fortune by 2045, when his foundation plans to end its operations.

He explained that his foundation’s work in Africa will concentrate on helping mothers stay healthy before and during pregnancy and ensuring children receive proper nutrition in their early years.

"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 said.

"Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference."

During his address, Gates encouraged young African innovators to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could improve healthcare.

He highlighted Rwanda’s use of AI-powered ultrasound to detect high-risk pregnancies as an example of innovation on the continent.

"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 said.

Mozambique’s former First Lady, Graça Machel, welcomed Gates’ commitment, saying it comes at a "moment of crisis" and expressed hope for continued support in Africa’s transformation.

The announcement follows reductions in US aid to Africa, raising concerns about the future of healthcare services, especially in areas like HIV/AIDS treatment.

The Gates Foundation’s priorities include ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, eradicating deadly infectious diseases among children, and lifting millions out of poverty.

Gates also shared a personal message about his philanthropic mission, writing, "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."