TheCable

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will visit Nigeria next week.

The billionaire will also be visiting Niger Republic.

According to a statement seen by TheCable, Gates’ visit to the two countries is to discuss global health and development with national and local leaders, foundation partners, grantees, scientists, and young innovators.

Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, had told state house correspondents on Friday that he and Gates will be visiting President Bola Tinubu next week.

The visit is part of the Gates Foundation’s commitment to work closely with communities and leaders to support innovation that can help accelerate progress and improve lives across Africa.

“Gates and other foundation leaders are visiting to learn from partners helping to address polio, anemia, and other health threats; scientists applying research to develop agricultural innovations that will help with food security and climate adaptation; innovators using technology to improve access to financial services; and others working to improve lives in Niger and Nigeria and throughout the continent,” the statement reads.

“They will also meet with national and regional leaders to encourage them to make investments and advance policies that promote innovation and provide equitable opportunity, despite challenging economic conditions.

“Gates will also participate in a conversation with students and young leaders to gather insights and share perspectives on how science and innovation can accelerate positive change and contribute to a brighter outlook for Africa.”

The event, Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation, is slated for June 21, by 10am in Lagos.

The event will be co-hosted by the Co-Creation Hub Nigeria and the Lagos Business School.

It will be live-streamed across Africa by media partners Africa.com and Channels Television.

Since inception in 2000, the foundation has supported partnerships with African regional institutions, national governments, and local communities in 49 African countries to contribute funding and scientific expertise in support of their agendas for change.

The foundation works with the Nigerian government, private sector, non-profit organizations, and civil society to improve health outcomes, boost agricultural productivity, expand access to digital financial services, and empower women and other marginalized populations with greater economic opportunities.