Bill Gates, founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has described Rwanda as one of the countries giving hope for the future of the world, citing its progress in healthcare, technology, and citizen empowerment.
Following a week-long visit to Rwanda, Gates said he left the country encouraged by its investment in people, strong institutions, and efforts to provide quality services.
Gates said: “If you want a reason to be optimistic about the future, Rwanda is a place to start,”
Rwanda’s Remarkable Health Achievements
He highlighted Rwanda’s major health achievements over the past 25 years, including a 73% reduction in child deaths under five, an over 80% decline in maternal deaths, and increased access to skilled birth attendants.
Gates said these achievements were not by chance but resulted from strong leadership, effective systems, and the use of data to guide decision-making.
During his visit, he met community health worker Gaudence Ngendahayo in Mwulire and praised Rwanda’s community health program as a key pillar in delivering basic healthcare to citizens.
He also visited Mwulire Health Center and the National Health Intelligence Center, where he commended Rwanda’s use of health data and evidence-based planning to improve services.
AI and Innovation Transforming Healthcare
Gates highlighted the Horizon 1000 project, a partnership between the Gates Foundation and OpenAI, which is being piloted in Rwandan health facilities to explore how artificial intelligence can improve healthcare delivery.
Supporting African Innovation and Young Talent
His tour also included a visit to a local auto-disable syringe manufacturing facility, the Upanzi Digital Experience Center at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, and the Rwanda AI Scaling Hub, where he met young innovators using AI to address community challenges.
Gates said he was impressed that many solutions were created by Africans themselves, with young people developing technologies tailored to local needs.
Rwanda as a Model for the Future
He concluded that Rwanda demonstrates how innovation, technology, and good governance can transform lives, adding that Africa’s future will depend on a skilled and visionary young generation.
