Written By Lexx Thornton
Africa has been on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has revealed what he plans to do with his $200 billion fortune, saying most of his money will go to the motherland.
Gates appeared at the Nelson Mandela Hall at the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he revealed that he intends to donate the bulk of his fortune to Africa through his foundation over the next 20 years. Gates previously said that his goal was to support causes that would help save and improve lives across the globe.
“I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa,” Gates said.
With this vow, health improvements will continue to rise through economic growth. Eradicating diseases like polio or malaria can increase GDP growth by up to 1–2% annually in affected countries. Education and human capital development will be impacted by this vow as well. Countries with better education systems tend to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI). Also, we can’t forget about their agricultural productivity which is already on a path to be worth$1 trillion by 2030. Agriculture employs over50% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa—boosting yields raises rural incomes and food security.
The impact depends heavily on how the funds are used, who implements the projects, and whether African governments and civil society are empowered partners—not passive recipients.