'He died rich' won't be on my tombstone: Bill Gates to spend bulk of his $200 billion fortune on health and education in Africa over next 20 years
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has pledged to spend the majority of his estimated $200 billion fortune over the next two decades to improve health and education services across Africa.
Speaking at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, the 69-year-old billionaire said, 'By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity.'
The announcement follows Gates' earlier commitment to give away 99% of his wealth by 2045, at which point his philanthropic organisation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, plans to wind down 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,' Gates told African leaders and innovators gathered at the AU headquarters.
Gates highlighted his foundation's focus on strengthening 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.
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Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years as well makes all the difference,' Gates said, as quoted by BBC.
He also called on Africa's young innovators to consider how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a role in transforming healthcare delivery across 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.
As an example, he pointed to Rwanda's use of AI-enabled ultrasound to detect high-risk pregnancies.
Mozambique's former First Lady, Graça Machel, welcomed Gates' pledge, saying it came at a 'moment of crisis.' She added, 'We are counting on Mr Gates' steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us.'
The pledge comes amid reductions in US foreign aid to Africa under former President Donald Trump's 'America First' policy, which included cuts to HIV/AIDS programs.
Gates acknowledged the growing need for external support and reiterated his foundation's long-term commitment to the continent.
According to the Gates Foundation, its three priorities are: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, ensuring the next generation grows up free from deadly infectious diseases, and lifting millions out of poverty.
Gates also addressed public scrutiny of his philanthropic efforts.
Though he remains one of the world's wealthiest individuals, he wrote in a blog post last month, '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.'
Alongside Paul Allen, Gates founded Microsoft in 1975. He stepped down as CEO in 2000 and left the company's board in 2020. He credits his decision to give away his wealth in part to inspiration from fellow philanthropist Warren Buffett. Still, the Gates Foundation has faced criticism over its influence in global health and claims that it uses its charitable status to avoid taxes, allegations that Gates has not directly addressed.
Despite this, Gates emphasized the urgency of his mission. 'This is not charity. It's an investment in Africa's future.'
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