Speaking at the headquarters of the African Union (AU), Gates emphasized that he has recently committed to giving away his fortune over the next two decades, with the majority of the funding aimed at helping Africa address its pressing challenges. He said that by unlocking human potential through investments in health and education, every African nation can achieve prosperity. Gates also urged young African innovators to think about how artificial intelligence (AI) can be developed to enhance healthcare services across the continent.

Last month, Gates announced that he plans to give away 99% of his personal wealth, which he expects to reach $200 billion by 2045—the year his philanthropic foundation is scheduled to conclude its operations. Former First Lady of Mozambique Graça Machel welcomed the announcement and expressed confidence in Gates’ strong and lasting commitment to Africa’s transformation.

The pledge comes amid recent cuts in aid to Africa by the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, including reductions to HIV/AIDS treatment programs, which have raised concerns about the future of healthcare services on the continent. Gates said his foundation, which has a long history of working in Africa, will focus on strengthening primary healthcare.

Gates co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975, and the company quickly became a dominant force in software and technology. In recent decades, Gates has gradually stepped back from the company, resigning as CEO in 2000 and as chairman in 2014.