**Bill Gates Pledges Major Investment in Africa’s Future**

**In a significant announcement in Ethiopia, Bill Gates revealed his commitment to invest heavily in Africa’s health and education over the next two decades, aiming to drive prosperity across the continent.**

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has declared his intention to allocate the majority of his $200 billion fortune towards enhancing health and educational services in Africa over the next 20 years. Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Gates stated, "By unleashing human potential through health and education, every country in Africa should be on a path to prosperity." He emphasized the importance of innovative solutions, particularly encouraging Africa's youth to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare systems on the continent.

Having pledged last month to donate 99% of his wealth by 2045—after which his foundation will cease operations—Gates underscored that the bulk of funding would directly address challenges faced in Africa. Graça Machel, Mozambique’s former First Lady, praised Gates’ timing as a "moment of crisis," acknowledging the potential for transformative change stemming from his donations.

The recent reduction in U.S. aid for African healthcare, particularly programs for HIV/AIDS, has raised concerns, making Gates’ commitment even more critical. He reiterated his foundation's focus on primary healthcare, emphasizing the significance of maternal health and nutrition as pivotal to improving child health outcomes. "Ensuring the child receives good nutrition in their first four years makes all the difference," he stated.

Highlighting the transformative impact of technology, Gates pointed out that mobile banking had revolutionized access to financial services in Africa, urging innovators to consider how AI could enhance the continent's healthcare infrastructure. He cited Rwanda’s use of AI-enabled ultrasounds to monitor high-risk pregnancies as a promising example of this integration.

The Gates Foundation has identified three key priorities: terminating preventable maternal and infant deaths, ensuring children can grow up free from dangerous infectious diseases, and lifting millions out of poverty. "At the end of 20 years, the foundation will sunset its operations," a statement confirmed.

Gates has expressed a desire to reshape how he is remembered, writing in a blog post, "People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that 'he died rich' will not be one of them." Even after giving away such a significant portion of his wealth, he is projected to remain a billionaire, according to Bloomberg.

As a co-founder of Microsoft in 1975 with Paul Allen, Gates gradually reduced his role in the company, resigning as CEO in 2000 and stepping down as chairman in 2014. Inspired by philanthropists like investor Warren Buffett, Gates’ significant charitable efforts have not been without criticism, facing accusations that his foundation’s charitable status allows him to sidestep taxes and exert too much influence over the global health landscape.