Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has urged African governments to increase investment in people, healthcare, education and technology as declining foreign aid forces countries across the continent to rely more heavily on domestic resources to drive development and economic growth.
Speaking at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Gates said African countries should prioritise human capital development to improve long-term productivity and build more resilient economies.
He argued that investments in health, education and digital technologies would generate stronger economic returns than many other forms of public spending.
Gates’ remarks come as several major donor countries reduce overseas development assistance amid mounting fiscal pressures and shifting domestic priorities. The decline in aid has increased concerns about financing gaps in healthcare, education and poverty reduction programmes across many low-income countries, particularly in Africa.
He said governments should embrace technology to improve the delivery of public services, expand financial inclusion and strengthen healthcare systems. Artificial intelligence, digital identity platforms and mobile technologies could help countries deliver better services at lower costs while accelerating economic development, he added.
The philanthropist also highlighted the importance of improving primary healthcare, reducing child mortality and strengthening disease surveillance. He noted that healthier populations are more productive and better positioned to contribute to sustainable economic growth, making healthcare spending an investment rather than a cost.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been one of the largest private donors to African health programmes, supporting initiatives focused on malaria, maternal and child health, vaccines, nutrition and agricultural development. Gates reaffirmed the foundation’s long-term commitment to supporting innovation and development across the continent despite reductions in global aid budgets.
He also called for stronger partnerships between governments, the private sector and development institutions to mobilise investment for infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship. Expanding digital infrastructure and improving internet access, he said, would help create new economic opportunities and enable African businesses to compete more effectively in the global economy.
Africa has one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations, a demographic trend that presents both significant opportunities and major policy challenges. Economists have long argued that sustained investment in education, skills development and healthcare will determine whether the continent can fully harness its demographic dividend over the coming decades.
Gates said shrinking aid budgets should encourage African countries to strengthen domestic institutions, improve public spending efficiency and leverage technology to achieve better development outcomes.
While international assistance will continue to play an important role, he argued that long-term progress will increasingly depend on governments’ ability to invest strategically in their people and build technology-driven economies capable of sustaining inclusive growth.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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