A Historic Commitment to Africa
Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft and the fifth-richest person in the world, has announced a groundbreaking plan to donate most of his $200 billion fortune to improve health and education across Africa. Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 2, 2025, the 69-year-old philanthropist shared his vision to spend the majority of his wealth over the next 20 years to address critical challenges on the continent. “By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity,” Gates declared, inspiring hope for a brighter future.
A Focus on Health and Education
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which Gates has led for decades, will prioritize three key goals: ending preventable deaths of mothers and babies, protecting the next generation from deadly infectious diseases, and lifting millions out of poverty. Gates emphasized the importance of primary healthcare, stating, “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 added that ensuring children receive proper nutrition in their first four years is crucial for their development. This focus comes at a critical time, as the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, has cut aid to Africa, including programs for HIV/AIDS treatment, raising concerns about healthcare access.
Empowering Africa Through Innovation
Gates also called on Africa’s young innovators to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize healthcare. He highlighted how mobile phones transformed banking across the continent and urged the next generation to integrate AI into healthcare systems. Pointing to Rwanda as a success story, he noted the country’s use of AI-enabled ultrasound to identify high-risk pregnancies. “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. This vision aligns with his belief that technology can unlock new opportunities for growth and progress.
A 20-Year Mission
Last month, Gates revealed his plan to give away 99% of his fortune by 2045, when the Gates Foundation will sunset its operations. Inspired by philanthropists like Warren Buffett and Andrew Carnegie’s 1889 essay “The Gospel of Wealth,” which famously stated, “the man who dies thus rich dies disgraced,” Gates is determined to leave a legacy of impact. “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,” he wrote in a recent blog post. Even after donating 99% of his wealth, estimated at $200 billion, Gates could still remain a billionaire, according to Bloomberg.
Support and Challenges
Mozambique’s former First Lady Graça Machel praised Gates’ commitment, calling it a lifeline during a “moment of crisis” for Africa. “We are counting on Mr. Gates’ steadfast commitment to continue walking this path of transformation alongside us,” she said. However, the Gates Foundation has faced criticism, with some arguing it uses its charitable status to avoid taxes and wields too much influence over global health systems. Despite this, Gates remains focused on partnering with African governments and communities to drive progress.
A Legacy of Change
Bill Gates, who co-founded Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen, built a tech empire that reshaped the world. Stepping back from the company—resigning as CEO in 2000 and chairman in 2014—he has since dedicated himself to philanthropy. His bold pledge to invest in Africa’s health and education over the next two decades offers a transformative opportunity for the continent. As Gates put it, this path to prosperity is “an exciting thing to be part of,” signaling a future where Africa’s potential is unleashed through innovation, collaboration, and unwavering commitment.
