Microsoft co-founder pledges $198 billion to Africa for healthcare and education

Bill Gates has announced that he will donate 99% of his estimated $198 billion fortune to Africa over the next 20 years.

Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Microsoft co-founder said the funds will focus on addressing major challenges in healthcare and education.

"This is not just a donation," Gates said. "Most of that money will assist you in addressing issues here in Africa."

He emphasized that the goal is to see tangible improvements within his lifetime, marking a shift from traditional, open-ended philanthropy to a time-bound, results-oriented approach.

A key priority for Gates is to strengthen primary healthcare systems across African countries. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has been active in Africa for years, will lead the initiatives.

Special attention will be given to improving women's health during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Gates stressed that healthy mothers are essential to reducing infant mortality and promoting healthy child development.

Interventions during the critical window from pregnancy to a child’s fourth birthday are expected to significantly impact lifelong health and cognitive development.

By ensuring timely access to vaccines, nutrition, and basic medical care, the foundation aims to reduce stunting and disease prevalence, especially in rural and underserved areas.

Education will form the second major focus of Gates’ philanthropic investment. He pointed out that long-term, sustainable economic growth depends on how well Africa educates its youth.

The foundation will invest in expanding access to early childhood education, with an emphasis on girls and marginalized communities.

Plans include improving teacher training, supplying educational tools, and integrating digital learning platforms to overcome barriers posed by inadequate infrastructure.

Gates also encouraged young African innovators to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to develop homegrown solutions for healthcare.

Examples already in use include AI-powered ultrasound tools in Rwanda that help detect high-risk pregnancies and mobile health apps that remotely monitor patient conditions.

By developing local AI applications, Gates believes Africa can leapfrog conventional healthcare limitations and create affordable technologies for widespread use.

As reported by ET, Gates revealed that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will cease operations by 2045, aligning with the end of his wealth transfer.

This "sunset clause" is designed to maximize the foundation's effectiveness by setting a deadline that ensures focused action, reduces bureaucratic drag, and builds urgency into its mission.

This announcement comes amid significant cuts to official foreign aid to Africa, particularly from the United States, where programs combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis have seen budget reductions.

Gates' pledge is positioned to help fill these funding gaps and protect the gains made over past decades.

In a personal note, Gates shared that only 1% of his wealth will be inherited by his children.

He described this as a deliberate choice to avoid creating inherited privilege and to instead direct his resources toward global improvement.

This philosophy mirrors similar commitments by other billionaire philanthropists and reinforces a growing movement to address systemic global challenges through wealth redistribution.

If realized in full, Gates’ $198 billion pledge could dramatically expand access to healthcare, reduce mortality rates, transform education systems, and empower a new generation of African leaders and innovators, particularly in AI and technology.

The approach aims to tackle poverty and inequality by investing in interconnected solutions that promote long-term development.