Microsoft founder and one of the world’s richest people, Bill Gates, has announced that he will donate most of his wealth to Africa. Over the next 20 years, his wealth will be spent on improving Africa’s health and education sectors.
The 69-year-old American billionaire made this announcement while giving a speech in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
At that time, he said that every country in Africa must go on the path to prosperity.
Bill Gates said that he urged young entrepreneurs in Africa to consider improving education and health through artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the report, Bill Gates announced last month that he would donate 99 percent of his wealth. He hopes that this wealth will reach $200 billion by 2045.
While speaking at the African Union (AU) headquarters, he said, “I recently pledged to donate most of my wealth in the next twenty years.” The bulk of it will be used to address the crisis in Africa.
Meanwhile, former First Lady of Mozambique Grace Machel welcomed Bill Gates’ decision to make such an announcement at a time of crisis. President Donald Trump has stopped US aid to Africa as part of his America First policy after taking office for a second term. This has closed the service program for patients living with HIV/AIDS. This has increased concerns about the future of healthcare in the subcontinent.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Bill Gates placed special emphasis on the health of pregnant women and children. He called for ensuring that mothers are given nutritious food during pregnancy. He also asked to ensure that children receive adequate nutrition in the first four years. Citing the example of Rwanda, he said that the country is already using ultrasound to identify high-risk pregnancies through AI.
The Gates Foundation said that they are working towards three goals: ending preventable maternal and child deaths, ensuring that the next generation does not suffer from serious infectious diseases, and lifting millions of people out of poverty. Source: BBC