Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has confirmed that Nigeria is the largest recipient of the foundation’s intervention funds in Africa.
During an interview on Tuesday at the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue in Abuja, Gates highlighted the foundation’s significant financial commitment to Nigeria, noting its pivotal role in the global effort to address health disparities, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“Our mission to reduce health disparities worldwide places a strong focus on eradicating diseases like measles, malaria, and polio,” Gates stated.
He further emphasized, “While we invest heavily across Asia, our largest expenditures are in Africa, and Nigeria, in particular, stands out as the country where we allocate the most resources.
“This is due not only to its large population but also to the immense needs present here. Over the years, we’ve invested billions in Nigeria, and while progress has been made—such as the reduction in child mortality rates—there is still much more that can be achieved.”
Gates also disclosed the foundation’s plans to further increase its investments in Nigeria, with a particular focus on enhancing primary healthcare systems.
“Our efforts are concentrated on primary healthcare because the return on investment is significantly higher in this area compared to others,” he explained.
To date, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed more than $7 billion through 2026 to support African nations in developing and implementing innovative solutions to the continent’s most urgent challenges, including hunger, disease, gender inequality, and poverty.
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