Bill Gates Meets AU Chairperson to Reinforce Strategic Partnership for Africa’s Development

Edited by: Widad Wahbi

This morning, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, received Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Gates Foundation, for a high-level meeting aimed at reinforcing collaboration between the AU and the Gates Foundation.

Their discussions focused on bolstering Africa’s public health systems, promoting local production of vaccines and essential medicines, and ensuring long-term food security across the continent.

Chairperson Youssouf expressed deep concern over the recent decline in global development aid and the failure of high-income countries to fulfill climate finance commitments. Mr. Gates echoed these concerns, underlining the injustice of Africa’s marginalization in global climate debates, despite the continent contributing only minimally to global carbon emissions.

In a strong statement of solidarity, Mr. Gates pledged to continue advocating for sustained international support and greater equity in development financing. Both leaders emphasized the urgent need for debt relief, fair trade mechanisms, and robust investments in African-led innovation, governance, and resilience strategies.

This meeting marks a renewed commitment to ensuring that African priorities are not only acknowledged but placed at the center of global cooperation efforts.