Bill Gates Pledges Majority of His $200 Billion Fortune to Support Africa

Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has pledged to devote the lion’s share of his estimated $200 billion fortune to transformative development efforts across Africa, with a strong focus on health and education over the next two decades.

Speaking at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Gates outlined his commitment to supporting the continent’s growth by addressing foundational challenges in human capital development. His announcement comes just weeks after he publicly stated that 99% of his wealth would be donated by 2045—at which point the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation plans to wind down operations.

“Investing in health and education unlocks human potential,” Gates told an audience of African leaders, development partners, and innovators. “If these areas are strengthened, every country on the continent can chart a path to prosperity.”

Gates emphasized that the vast majority of his wealth would be channelled toward initiatives that empower African communities, reduce poverty, and drive economic growth through long-term, sustainable development. His remarks come at a time when Africa’s progress has been hampered by gaps in funding, especially following cuts to U.S. foreign aid under the previous administration’s “America First” approach. This includes reductions in critical health interventions like HIV/AIDS treatment programs.

Graça Machel, widow of Nelson Mandela and former First Lady of Mozambique, welcomed Gates’ announcement, calling it a vital commitment during a time of uncertainty and need. “This decision arrives at a moment of crisis. Africa is looking for partners who are ready to stand with us—not just with words but with sustained action. Mr. Gates is showing that leadership,” she said.

One of the key priorities of Gates’ philanthropy in Africa will be primary healthcare. He underscored the importance of supporting maternal and child health, noting that the early stages of life are the most critical for lifelong success. “Healthy mothers and well-nourished children lay the foundation for vibrant societies,” he stated. “The evidence shows that what happens during pregnancy and in the first four years of life shapes everything that follows.”

Another area of focus will be enhancing education and technological innovation. Gates called on Africa’s youthful population, especially its growing base of tech-savvy entrepreneurs, to consider how emerging tools like artificial intelligence (AI) can be harnessed for public good. “Just as Africa leapfrogged traditional banking through mobile money, you now have a chance to leap ahead in healthcare by integrating AI,” he said. He cited Rwanda’s use of AI-powered ultrasound diagnostics to identify risky pregnancies as an example of the kind of innovation he hopes to see scaled across the continent.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation outlined three strategic objectives for its Africa-centered giving: ending preventable maternal and child deaths, eradicating infectious diseases, and breaking cycles of poverty by improving education and economic opportunities. These goals, Gates said, reflect a broader vision of human dignity, equity, and progress.

He reiterated that his intention is not to be remembered for the wealth he accumulated but for the impact he was able to create with it. “When I’m gone, I don’t want the headline to be ‘He died rich.’ I want it to be about how wealth was used to improve lives,” he wrote in a recent blog post.

While critics have sometimes questioned the influence of large philanthropic organizations like the Gates Foundation on global policy, there’s no denying the scale and scope of its impact—especially in low- and middle-income countries. The Foundation has been instrumental in advancing vaccine access, disease eradication efforts, and agricultural development in Africa.

Now, with a renewed and expanded financial commitment, Gates’ focus is firmly set on helping African nations write the next chapter of their development journeys—one rooted in opportunity, inclusion, and lasting resilience.