Bill Gates to Donate $200 Billion to Society, Most to Go to Africa

Gates Foundation to Dissolve by 2045
"I Don't Want to Die Being Called Rich"

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft (MS), who previously announced his intention to donate $200 billion (approximately 275 trillion won) to society over the next 20 years, has declared that a significant portion of these funds will be concentrated on the African continent.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers

According to the BBC and Bloomberg, on June 2 (local time), Gates stated at the African Union (AU) meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, "Every country in Africa must be on the path to prosperity," adding, "Through the Gates Foundation, we will prioritize strengthening primary healthcare services." Recently, healthcare in Africa has faced a crisis due to cuts in aid resulting from U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" policy.

Gates particularly emphasized that improving the nutritional status of mothers and babies can drive the most powerful long-term changes. He stressed, "We must support maternal nutrition both before and during pregnancy, and ensure that babies receive adequate nutrition during their first four years of life."

He also called on young African innovators to "use AI technology to revolutionize healthcare systems." Gates cited an example from Rwanda, where AI-based ultrasound technology is being used to identify high-risk pregnancies, and stated that such approaches can be effective.

The Gates Foundation plans to focus on three key areas in the future: preventing maternal and infant deaths, combating infectious diseases, and supporting poverty alleviation.

Previously, last month, Gates announced his plan to donate the majority of his wealth to society by 2045, and to officially end the operation of the Gates Foundation as of December 31 of that year. He stated, "There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold on to resources that could be used to help people. That is why I have decided to give away my money to society much faster than I originally planned."

Gates expressed his firm commitment to philanthropy, saying, "I do not want to die with people saying, 'He died rich.'" He plans to donate 99% of his remaining wealth to the foundation, which is currently valued at about $107 billion (approximately 150 trillion won). He intends to leave less than 1% of his fortune to his three children.