Ideas

The latest stories, research, and news from across the foundation

Dr Susan Ontiri, Country Director of the International Center for Reproductive Health Kenya, poses for a portrait in Mtwapa, Kenya, on August 29, 2024.

Listening to women: Transforming family planning through contraceptive choice

Family planning researchers are taking a different approach to measuring women’s needs for contraceptive access and getting more accurate data in the process.

Health Extension Workers, Degitu Tafese and Kasech Shalamo, pose for a photograph at the Wochabo Basic Health Post in Bensa Woreda, Sidama Region, Ethiopia on April 23, 2024.

How strategic financing can drive progress on development and climate

By Mark Suzman CEO, Board Member, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

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How strategic financing can drive progress on development and climate

By Mark Suzman CEO, Board Member, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Five innovators shaping the Future of Health

Listening to women: Transforming family planning through contraceptive choice

Sharon Umunyana, Technical Project Manager, Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), attends a brainstorming meeting regarding the implementation of Mojaloop software with RSwitch staff at the WiredIn offices in Kigali, Rwanda, on July 24, 2024.

The Mojaloop moment: Expanding financial inclusion

By Miller Abel Principal Technologist, Inclusive Financial Systems, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bean varieties developed by National Agricultural Research Organization photographed in Uganda.

Bill Gates on how feeding children properly can transform global health

By Bill Gates Chair, Board Member, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Morzina Begum (40), a tailor, shows off an item of clothing she recently made. Morzina embodies financial empowerment by being part of the SATHI Network in Rajshahi, Bangladesh, on April 2, 2024.The SATHI Network is a dedicated women-led agent network spanning across the country, to ensure convenient access to financial services for marginalized women at the last mile. Women agents in rural areas foster a sense of trust and comfort among female customers, enabling them to engage more confidently in financial transactions. The gender-specific intervention promotes financial inclusion and empowering un/underbanked women in a safe and supportive environment.

Unlocking women’s economic power through digital public infrastructure

By Monique Nsanzabaganwa Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission

Dr. Clare Mugisha (L), a senior scientist working for CGIAR and International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), is photographed with Brenda Nakyanzi (R), research coordinator at CIAT in the field garden at the Kawanda Research Institute, in Kawanda, Uganda.

The critical reason to close gender gaps in agriculture

By Jemimah Njuki Chief of Economic Empowerment, UN Women

Students walk inside the Kibera Primary School compound in Nairobi, Kenya on April 4, 2024.

Can AI transform education?

By Asyia Kazmi Senior Program Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Six Picks from agriculture advocate Azeez Salawu

Six picks from an advocate for sustainable agriculture

The exhibition “A Better Way to Go: Toilets and the Future of Sanitation” at the Gates Foundation Discovery Center in Seattle, Washington.

The researcher versus the mosquitoes

By Jennifer Gardy Deputy Director, Special Initiatives, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Videos

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A user accesses the mDoc website on a smartphone during an outreach program at the Balogun Market in Lagos, Nigeria, on September 14, 2023. mDoc is a social enterprise that integrates proven methodologies in quality improvement and behavioral science with web and mobile-based technology to optimize the end to end care experience for people living with chronic health needs such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

How Nneka Mobisson and mDoc use AI and Large Language Models to drive health equity

Nneka Mobisson’s father believed in the power of technology to save lives in Africa. She’s honoring his memory by using AI to take on inequalities in healthcare.

A scientist uses AI to give Africans control of their health

Darlington Akogo, Founder & CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, discusses how his product can save lives with a “digital doctor.”

Bill Gates with polio survivors and their families.

Bill Gates talks with polio survivors

Why is polio eradication important? On his recent trip to Brussels, Bill Gates sat down with polio survivors and their families (hosted by Jacob Beautemps from Breaking Lab) to learn about their experiences with this preventable disease.