Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has shed light on why Nigeria receives the largest share of the foundation’s intervention funds in Africa. Speaking during the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue in Abuja, Gates emphasized the country’s significant needs due to its large population and pressing health and development challenges.
“We spend a lot in Asia, but we spend even more in Africa. The country where we spend the most in Africa is Nigeria,” Gates said. He noted that the foundation has invested billions in Nigeria, acknowledging improvements such as the reduction in child mortality rates. However, he stressed that there is still much work to be done.
The foundation’s focus includes reducing global health inequalities and combating diseases such as measles, malaria, and polio. Gates highlighted that primary healthcare is a key priority due to its high impact relative to the investment.
In addition to healthcare, Gates emphasized the foundation’s significant investments in agriculture, aiming to boost productivity through high-yield, climate-resistant seeds, fertilizers, and better information and weather predictions for farmers. He also pointed out the foundation’s support for food fortification initiatives, which improve the nutritional quality of staple foods.
Gates believes that innovative ideas and tools in both health and agriculture are crucial for addressing malnutrition and improving overall public health. Since its establishment in 2000, the Gates Foundation has collaborated with African institutions, national governments, and local communities in 49 African countries.
