Federal Government Transfers Over 630 Million Euros to the Gates Foundation
The federal government of Germany is transferring around €630 million to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation between 2021 and 2027 to support international development projects in areas such as food security and resilience, digital transformation, and public health, particularly in countries like Ethiopia, Malawi, and Madagascar.
The largest single allocation is around €290 million for the "Global Project on Food Security and Resilience." This project aims to help local governments improve their food systems and increase their ability to respond to crises such as hunger and malnutrition. This entails strengthening agricultural productivity, improving nutrition, and building resilience against food insecurity.
Funds are also directed towards the "Global Project Digital Transformation." This initiative focuses on advancing digital infrastructure and technology adoption to improve services and development outcomes in these countries. Approximately €220 million is earmarked for this project.
The health program in Ethiopia is part of the foundation’s broader public health initiatives supported by this funding. Details about the budget or program scope for Ethiopia were not specified in the results.
The German government emphasizes that the money is not transferred directly to the foundation but allocated to these global projects managed or facilitated in partnership with the foundation. However, this funding has faced criticism from groups like AfD demanding transparency and cautioning about potential geopolitical influence by Germany through a private foundation with a strong international presence.
In summary, the funds are invested in key global development areas—especially food security and resilience, digital transformation, and health programs—to assist vulnerable populations and strengthen local capacities in low-income countries, using the Gates Foundation as a coordinating partner.
[1] Source: German Development Cooperation and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's health program in Ethiopia is a part of their broader initiatives, funded by the German government, focusing on public health.
- Technology adoption and digital infrastructure improvements are targeted areas in the Global Project Digital Transformation, allocated around €220 million by the German government and facilitated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Beyond food security and resilience, and digital transformation, the German government's funding to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also supports business, as seen in they investment in health-and-wellness programs aimed at improving the health of vulnerable populations in low-income countries.
