Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and the fifth-richest person globally, has announced a groundbreaking plan to allocate most of his impressive $200 billion fortune towards enhancing health and education services in Africa over the next two decades. Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the 69-year-old billionaire emphasized the importance of unlocking human potential, stressing that every African nation could attain prosperity through improved health and education systems.
Gates revealed last month that he intends to donate 99% of his wealth by 2045, at which point his foundation plans to conclude its operations. He expressed a firm commitment to supporting challenges faced in Africa, highlighting the significance of maternal health and childhood nutrition for achieving transformative results.
Former Mozambican First Lady Graça Machel praised Gates' announcement, acknowledging its timely support in a moment of crisis, while concerns loom over decreased U.S. aid to Africa under current government policies. Gates’ foundation has a track record of addressing healthcare disparities on the continent, emphasizing the necessity for strong corresponding primary healthcare.
In his address, Gates encouraged Africa's young innovators to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance healthcare systems, using Rwanda’s successful AI-driven services as an inspiring example. The Gates Foundation highlighted its mission to eradicate preventable maternal and infant deaths, combat infectious diseases, and raise millions out of poverty, asserting that it will conclude its operations in 20 years.
With his philanthropic model inspired by Warren Buffett and other generous individuals, Gates is determined not to be remembered merely as a wealthy individual. Critics, however, caution that his philanthropic efforts may serve to circumvent taxes and wield significant influence over global health policies.
