Philanthropist and Microsoft founder Bill Gates has announced he will donate 99% of his fortune, currently estimated at 200 billion US dollars (approximately 12,800 billion meticais, using the European numbering system), to support development efforts in Africa, focusing on health and education over the next 20 years. The announcement was made during a speech at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to a BBC article published on Tuesday, June 3, Gates stated that “by unlocking human potential through health and education, all African countries should be on the path to prosperity.” He also indicated that by 2045, all donated funds will have been used, at which point the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will close its operations.
Mozambique is among the African countries where the foundation is already active and expected to benefit from the increased support announced, especially in primary healthcare and basic education. Former Mozambican First Lady, Graça Machel, welcomed the announcement, emphasizing that it comes “at a time of crisis. We count on Mr. Gates’s firm commitment to continue this path of transformation alongside us,” she said.
Bill Gates highlighted that a key part of the strategy involves ensuring the health and proper nutrition of mothers before and during pregnancy, as well as making sure children receive adequate care during their first four years of life, a critical phase for development.
In the same speech, Gates called on African youth to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform healthcare systems. He cited Rwanda as an example, where AI technology is already used to identify high-risk pregnancies.
This announcement comes amid a context of reduced international aid to Africa, including cuts to HIV/AIDS programs, raising concerns in countries like Mozambique, where the health system faces structural challenges.
Recently, Bill Gates accused Tesla and SpaceX CEO and former head of the U.S. Government Efficiency Department, Elon Musk, of being responsible for the deaths of several HIV-positive children in the world’s poorest countries, including Mozambique.
Musk supported former U.S. President Donald Trump in dismantling the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a move that has caused concern about the future of international assistance. The justification was government spending cuts and the integration of USAID functions into the State Department, led by Marco Rubio.
The United States provides about 40% of global humanitarian and development aid, making it a major funder of programs across Africa.
Even after donating 99% of his wealth, Gates is expected to remain among the richest people worldwide. However, for countries like Mozambique, this pledge represents a concrete opportunity for investment in key sectors for the country’s future, at a time when strengthening international cooperation is essential.
Source: Diário Económico
