Bill Gates, co-chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, explained why Nigeria receives most of the foundation’s intervention funds in Africa.
Gates made the statement during an interview with selected journalists on the sidelines of the NutriVision 2024 Dialogue on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said: “We spend a lot in Asia, but we spend even more in Africa. The country where we spend the most in Africa is Nigeria.
“It makes sense because of the population and the incredible needs that exist here. This means I have literally spent billions in Nigeria.
“I’m happy that things like the infant mortality rate have gone down, but we can do a lot better.”
Gates emphasized that reducing global health disparities and eradicating measles, malaria and polio are top priorities for the foundation.
He also said that the foundation plans to increase its spending in the future, with a focus on improving primary health care.
“Our work is almost entirely focused on primary health care because the impact per dollar is significantly greater than anywhere else,” he said.
In addition to health, Gates noted that the foundation also invests heavily in the agricultural sector, recognizing that increasing agricultural productivity is critical to Nigeria’s economic development. He emphasized that this can be achieved through access to high-yielding and climate-resistant seeds, fertilizers, better and timely information and better weather forecasts for farmers.
According to him, these measures will significantly increase agricultural production and reduce food costs.
The philanthropist also said that the foundation supports partners in the implementation of basic food fortification, which improves the nutritional quality of the food supply and provides public health benefits.
He emphasized that access to a variety of low-cost foods, especially milk and eggs, is key to reducing malnutrition.
Gates noted that now is the time to use innovative ideas and tools in the health and agriculture sectors to significantly reduce malnutrition. Since its inception in 2000, the foundation has supported partnerships with African regional institutions, national governments and local communities in 49 African countries.
