By Mark Ogagan
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s work in Africa, American billionaire Bill Gates made a pledge to donate nearly all of his 200 billion US dollars fortune to Africa, to be distributed over the next 20 years.
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.
Tuesday’s event, which was held at the the Nelson Mandela Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, buzzed with anticipation as Bill Gates, Chair of the occasion, delivered a powerful address marking the foundation’s 25th anniversary of work in the continent.
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.
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