Ideas

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

Anjum Ara, Khloe Thompson, and William Deng

Generosity in action: Inspiring stories from GivingTuesday leaders

In just over a decade, GivingTuesday has grown into a worldwide celebration of generosity. Meet three leaders changing their communities and discover how acts of giving are advancing health, opportunity, and progress across the globe.

By Sophie Snowden Program Officer, Philanthropic Partnerships, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The “A Better Way to Go: Toilets and the Future of Sanitation” exhibition at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center in Seattle, Washington, on April 28, 2024.

The next sanitation breakthrough: Making reinvented toilets more affordable

By Doulaye Kone Interim Director, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

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Generosity in action: Inspiring stories from GivingTuesday leaders

By Sophie Snowden Program Officer, Philanthropic Partnerships, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Veronica Auma and her son, Terrel, at their house in Busia County, Kenya. Veronica spoke to the Gates Foundation on how affordable and high-quality child care impacted her ability to pursue economic opportunities.

Q&A: How strengthening the care economy can boost women’s workforce participation

By Radu Ban Senior Program Officer, Gender Data and Evidence, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The next sanitation breakthrough: Making reinvented toilets more affordable

By Doulaye Kone Interim Director, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Dr Sugandha Arya of Safdarjung Hospital talks about her journey with th IKMC trials at BMGF Delhi Office on the 9th July 2024

One doctor’s journey to transform newborn care

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

Five innovators shaping the Future of Health

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

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

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.