(MENAFN)
Bill Gates has announced his intention to donate most of his fortune over the next 20 years to support health and education systems throughout Africa. Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday, the Microsoft co-founder said the initiative is aimed at helping every African country progress toward long-term prosperity.

“I’ve committed to giving away my wealth within the next two decades. Most of that money will be directed toward addressing challenges here in Africa,” Gates stated, acknowledging that his personal wealth has reached substantial levels.

According to the Gates Foundation, over $200 billion will be invested by 2045—when the organization plans to wrap up its operations. These funds will prioritize access to vaccines, maternal and child health, girls’ education, and the development of digital systems to strengthen public health infrastructure.

Gates' pledge comes amid a broader reduction in international assistance to Africa. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump slashed more than 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts, disrupting numerous health and development initiatives worldwide.

The Gates Foundation, a major private contributor to the World Health Organization (WHO), has long been active in combating diseases such as malaria, HIV, and polio. It also funds vaccine development and distribution. However, the organization has faced criticism from advocacy groups for supporting genetically modified crops and industrial farming models that critics say favor large agribusinesses over small-scale African farmers.

Concerns have also been raised about the foundation's extensive influence in global health governance, particularly its perceived sway over the WHO and the lack of mechanisms to ensure accountability in addressing human rights issues linked to its programs.

During his speech, Gates expressed his ambition to help transform Africa into a net food exporter by providing farmers with better seeds, tools, and data. He also called on African innovators to explore ways artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to improve healthcare, noting that the foundation is committed to nurturing local AI talent to ensure the technology benefits all, not just wealthy nations.

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