On June 2, 2025, the Nelson Mandela Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, buzzed with anticipation as Bill Gates, Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, delivered a powerful address marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary of work in Africa. Streamed live by Africa.com, the event drew over 12,000 attendees, including government officials, health workers, youth leaders, and global diplomats, both in person and online. Gates’ message was clear: Africa stands at a pivotal moment, and its leaders must harness innovation and partnerships to accelerate progress in health and development despite global challenges.
A Historic $200 Billion Commitment
The centerpiece of Gates’ address was a staggering announcement: the majority of his $200 billion pledge, to be distributed over the next 20 years, will be dedicated to Africa. This landmark commitment, first revealed on May 8, prioritizes nations that invest in the health and well-being of their citizens. “I recently committed to giving away my wealth over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,” Gates declared, cementing the foundation’s long-term partnership with the continent.
This unprecedented investment aims to save lives, reduce preventable maternal and child deaths, combat infectious diseases, and pave the way for prosperity. The pledge builds on the foundation’s two-decade legacy in Africa, which has already saved over 80 million lives through initiatives like Gavi and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, while catalyzing over 100 healthcare innovations.
Unleashing Africa’s Potential Through Health and AI
Gates emphasized that Africa’s future hinges on unlocking human potential through health and education. “Every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity,” he said, calling for robust primary healthcare systems as the bedrock of progress. He highlighted the critical need for maternal and child nutrition, particularly in the early years, to ensure lifelong health and productivity.
A standout theme was the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in African healthcare. Gates pointed to Rwanda’s pioneering use of AI-enabled ultrasound to detect high-risk pregnancies, a model that could revolutionize women’s health across the continent. “Africa’s youth are already embracing AI to solve local problems,” he noted, urging leaders to scale such innovations. This focus on AI aligns with the continent’s growing tech ecosystem, positioning Africa as a hub for homegrown solutions.
Celebrating African Leadership
Gates spotlighted countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Zambia for their bold leadership in reducing child mortality and expanding health services. “When leadership and innovation come together, even the most challenging circumstances can yield scalable solutions,” he said. Ethiopia’s iodine-folic acid double-fortified salt initiative and Nigeria’s primary healthcare reforms were cited as examples of data-driven, impactful policies.
The address was followed by a fireside chat with Dr. Paulin Basinga, the Gates Foundation’s Africa director, where they explored the investments and collaborations needed to sustain progress. Prominent voices, including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General, and Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, echoed Gates’ call for shared responsibility. Mrs. Graça Machel, a revered advocate for women and children, praised Gates’ “deep understanding of African challenges” and his respect for local leadership, urging continued partnership in this “moment of crisis.”
On-the-Ground Engagement in Ethiopia and Nigeria
Gates’ address coincides with his ongoing visit to Ethiopia and Nigeria, where he is engaging with leaders and scientists to advance health priorities. In Ethiopia, he met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and joined a roundtable with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute to discuss innovative nutrition programs. In Nigeria, Gates will meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explore primary healthcare reforms and collaborate with local experts on AI-driven healthcare solutions.
These visits underscore the foundation’s hands-on approach, as Gates seeks to understand the evolving landscape of foreign aid and its implications for African development.
A Legacy of Partnership
For over 20 years, the Gates Foundation has worked closely with African partners to drive transformative change. Gates reaffirmed this commitment, stating, “Our foundation has an increasing commitment to Africa. We’ve been here for over 20 years, and we will continue to work side by side with you to build a healthier and more prosperous future.”
The address at Nelson Mandela Hall was more than a celebration of past achievements; it was a rallying cry for African leaders, innovators, and global partners to seize this moment. With $200 billion on the table and a vision for AI-powered, health-driven prosperity, Gates has set the stage for a new era of collaboration and transformation across the continent.
If you believe what this man is saying you’re a f00l. This man has clearly indicated he wants to reduce the population of the world using health as a proxy to immunize people and create GMO food to eliminate as much people as possible.
@PDaka, if you had a chance to be in his position, what would you have said?
What do you have that Bill gates can even think of killing you ,sure. Africa and its unfounded theories, kaya che
And he has told you Peter Daka and your friends here that he wants to reduce the population?
Jojoba there is a documentary accusing him of planning to kill the poor and Gates has not responded to it. So some people think it is true
@Gonzo, are you sure the documentary is authority enough that he wants to reduce the population. And are you sure Bill Gates would be answering to such, he is too much above such pettiness
Ba Kantu I cant be sure-follow the discourse. Dont shoot the messenger Iam not justifying anything Iam clarifying something period
@ Peter Daka
This man is a psycho….and the 200 billion dollars will just end in our corrupt and thieving Politicians pockets…..
With all due respect Mr Gates, please keep your money
We must close our airports to this psycho as he is an insane man with too much money with an agenda to reduce the population of the world via selected evil schemes such as child immunization, female and male sterilization agenda, and hidden infertility inducing programs. We must also watch out for dodgy programs from the captive WHO which seems to have lost direction by its involvement in dodgy programs with Bill Gates.
You need it more than he does
Indeed Mr Gates keep your hard earned money as we appreciate ziltch , we like where we are today infact for some of us it’s too advanced, we love our old traditional ways thank you :))
The gates has been helping Africa > God bless him. The only billionaire with the heart of africa. The rest are just milking us. ELo Musk is even proposing USA to withdraw aid from African countries. God bless Billgates
I can’t believe you’re actually praying for this demon. Psychotic people like Gates must be told in clear terms that we are well aware of their devilish agendas and tell them where to get off.
OMG devilish agendas ??
Look within more to the point
Trade ,investments and technology transfer ,NOT AID please .
20 years of dealing with Africans , Africans are now much aware of what is at stack, we will deal with our own issues because you guys helping us is like taking away all our natural resources to better yourselves!! Look for example COVID-19 came who made a lot of dealings for that? We Africans none we tried to make up our own medicine but “WHO” couldn’t approve it! You can only fool ppl at once but you cannot fool them all the time!! But mr bill thanks for all the services you have rendered for the past 20 years maybe if you can now leave us alone and deal with our issues!
Out of the many things that Bill Gates has to do, do you think he can be thinking of killing you. Why do you people over rate yourselves so much. Basi Bill Gates akamupayeni monse?