Bill Gates visits Rwanda to learn from health progress

American philanthropist and Microsoft co‑founder Bill Gates is in Rwanda on a private visit focused on health and development.

His first stop was a vaccine production plant in Rwamagana, where he praised the country’s achievements in building strong health systems.

Gates is also scheduled to tour Mwulire Health Center and meet a community health worker to understand how Rwanda delivers services at the grassroots level. Observers noted his humility during the trip, as he chose to share meals with locals at a hotel in Rwamagana rather than keep to a closed entourage.

Before arriving, Gates had highlighted Rwanda’s remarkable progress in reducing child and maternal mortality. Since 2000, deaths of children under five have dropped by 80%, while maternal deaths linked to pregnancy and childbirth have fallen by 85%. He attributed this success not to isolated projects but to Rwanda’s long‑term investment in people, institutions, and community‑based service delivery.

“What excites me is not a single intervention, but the way Rwanda has invested in its citizens, built strong systems, and ensured services reach the people. That’s what creates lasting change,” Gates said.