The announcement was made during a high-profile address to over 12,000 attendees at the African Union’s Nelson Mandela Hall in Addis Ababa on Monday.
Speaking to a crowd of government officials, diplomats, healthcare workers, development partners, and youth leaders, Gates urged African leaders to harness innovation and forge partnerships that put health and human development at the center of national priorities.
In a statement signed by Dr. Paulin Basinga, Africa Director of the Gates Foundation, the organisation reiterated its commitment to working alongside African governments that “prioritise the health and wellbeing of their people,” especially as the continent faces mounting challenges from shifting global aid dynamics and economic uncertainty.
