The co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Gates has said Nigeria receives the largest share of intervention funds from the foundation in Africa.
Gates disclosed this during an interview with journalists at the 2024 NutriVision Dialogue in Abuja on Tuesday.
Gates emphasized that reducing global health inequality is a top priority for the foundation, which focuses on eradicating diseases like measles, malaria, and polio.
“We spend a lot in Asia, but we spend even more in Africa. The country we spend the most in Africa is Nigeria,” Gates said, citing Nigeria’s large population and high needs as reasons.
Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has supported numerous initiatives across 49 African countries, committing over $7 billion through 2026.
Gates highlighted the impact of the foundation’s work in Nigeria, particularly in lowering child mortality rates, although he noted that more progress could be made.
The foundation’s primary focus is on improving primary healthcare, which Gates says offers the greatest impact per dollar spent.
Beyond health, the foundation also invests in Nigeria’s agriculture sector, aiming to boost productivity through better seeds, fertilizers, and weather predictions for farmers. These efforts are intended to lower food costs and enhance the nutritional quality of staple foods through fortification.
Gates stressed the importance of leveraging innovative ideas and tools in health and agriculture to tackle malnutrition, adding that access to low-cost foods like milk and eggs is crucial for reducing nutritional deficiencies.
