Charlotte set as flagship city for dual-track sports and careers initiative
SEED Project Partners at the launch of the US-Africa Youth Talent Combine and Sports Careers Summit: February 16, 2026, Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES, United States of America, 2 March 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-The SEED Project, together with implementation partners the Pan African Council, Champs for Change, and the Global Africa Business Accelerator (GABA) Center, has taken a major step toward launching the U.S.–Africa Youth Talent Combine and Sports Careers Summit following a high-level Stakeholder Roundtable held during NBA All-Star Week in Los Angeles.
Convened by SEED Project and supported by SEED founder Amadou Gallo Fall, the roundtable brought together HBCU leaders, African and Caribbean diaspora representatives, city officials, impact investors, sports executives, and youth development organizations. The group aligned around the shared goal of using sport as a platform for education, careers, and economic mobility on both sides of the Atlantic.
Dual-track model: on-court and across the ecosystem
The U.S.–Africa Youth Talent Combine and Sports Careers Summit builds on a historical combine model while adding a second, equally weighted track focused on careers:
A high-performance basketball combine for athletes, featuring standardized testing, positional skill work, and 5-on-5 evaluations.
A parallel Sports Careers Summit for non-athlete and multi-interest youth, offering personality-based career assessments, hands-on labs, shadowing experiences, and mentoring across media, analytics, operations, coaching, entrepreneurship, technology, esports, and sports diplomacy.
“This is about who gets to build the future of sport,” said Fabien Anthony, Chairman of the Pan African Council. “We are designing a platform where young people can move from fan to professional on the floor, in the boardroom, and across the global economy.”
Charlotte as flagship launch
Roundtable participants endorsed Charlotte, North Carolina as the flagship host city for the first event, subject to final alignment with the Charlotte Hornets and facility partners. The concept calls for:
A three-day program at the Hornets’ arena, combining on-court evaluation and off-court career exploration.
HBCU- and city-led learning experiences, using Charlotte’s history with HBCU tournaments and NBA All-Star as a live case study in major event delivery, cultural impact, and local economic benefits.
“Charlotte offers a powerful classroom,” said Kimberly Nelson, CEO of the GABA Center. “Young people will see how a single event mobilizes hundreds of roles from game operations and storytelling to hospitality, technology, finance, healthcare and city planning.” Centering youth careers in sport
Champs for Change (C4C) will lead design and delivery of the Sports Careers Summit, ensuring non-athlete youth are full co-beneficiaries of the program rather than an add-on. “Every young person who walks into this experience should leave with a clearer pathway whether that’s in front of the camera, behind the camera, at the scorer’s table, in the startup lab, or leading in their community,” said Memuna Williams, co-founder of Champs for Change. “We’re building a generation of African and diaspora leaders who see sport as an industry.”
Next steps
SEED Project and its partners agreed to a 90-day roadmap that includes finalizing dates and space requirements with the Charlotte Hornets, refining the combine and Summit curriculum, mapping industry roles to HBCU and African university programs, and structuring a shared sponsorship and scholarship fund. A post-meeting report, recording these commitments was circulated among project stakeholders on February 24.
“This initiative is a movement to build prosperity across the continent, elevate youth through mentorship and professionalism, and integrate African talent into global value chains,” the partners said in a joint statement.
SEED Project (Sports for Education and Economic Development) is an International NGO that uses education and basketball to develop the next generation of socially conscious African leaders that have the tools to lead their country. Learn more at seedproject.org.
Pan-African Council (PAC) is the premier global leadership and strategic development organization dedicated to elevating Africa and her Diaspora on the world stage. Guided by its multi-faceted approach, the Council bridges political divides through diplomatic engagement; unlocks shared prosperity by fostering economic opportunities; and empowers communities with targeted social initiatives. Learn more at panafricancouncil.org.
Champs for Change (C4C) is a pan‑African social enterprise that supports young people who want to build careers in sport, both on and off the field. Through resources, mentoring, training, connection to networks and collaboration, C4C helps the people behind the game turn passion for sport into real education, work, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Learn more at champs4change.org and share your interest in working with C4C here.
The GABA Center (Global Africa Business Accelerator) is the diplomatic and commercial bridge connecting the United States, Africa, and the global diaspora. Through its four strategic pillars, Capacity Building, Workforce Development, Venture Building, and Ecosystem Building, GABA delivers integrated programming that strengthens local economies and opens global pathways for entrepreneurs, investors, and institutions. Learn more at gabacenter.com.
Less manual work, smarter, AI-powered financial control, and a future-ready platform designed to scale with Kenyan businesses.
NAIROBI, Kenya, 12 February 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has launched Sage Intacct in Kenya. The launch marks a significant step forward in how mid-sized businesses can operate, by bringing intelligent, AI-powered financial management that delivers real-time visibility and data-driven insights.
Sage Intacct is a cloud-native, AI-enabled financial management platform built to help growing organisations modernise and automate their finance operations. By embedding intelligence across core financial processes, it enables finance teams to move beyond manual tasks and focus on strategic decision-making. Key capabilities include multi-entity consolidation, real-time dashboards and reporting, and intelligent automation of workflows across core accounting functions like orders, purchasing, and cash management. Built for scalability, Sage Intacct supports complex, global operations with multi-currency, multi-entity structures and integrates seamlessly with other business systems through open APIs.
Key features and benefits of Sage Intacct include:
Making informed decisions: AI-powered dashboards and real-time reporting give finance teams and business leaders instant visibility into trusted financial data to help them make better, data-driven decisions.
Intelligent Automation of finance operations: Finance teams will no longer need to manage tedious spreadsheet tasks and manual data entry, helping save time and reducing errors.
Scalable innovation for growing businesses: Built on a cloud-native, future-ready architecture, Sage Intacct scales effortlessly as businesses grow, allowing them to add new capabilities and innovate without disruptions.
Enhanced accuracy through intelligent finance: Finance teams can easily harness the power of intelligent automation to automate processes like outlier detection and smart rules for bank reconciliation, thereby improving data accuracy and identifying potential risks or fraud.
Seamless integration: Finance teams can easily integrate Sage Intacct with other applications using its open architecture and library of APIs.
Multi-entity insights: Empowers growing multi-entity businesses with valuable insights for clarity and enhanced efficiency.
Jordaan Burger, Managing Director, Sage Africa & Middle East
Jordaan Burger, Managing Director for Sage AME, says, “At Sage, innovation is driven by our customers’ needs. Launching Sage Intacct in Kenya reflects our commitment to supporting the country’s growing community of SMBs and mid-market organisations with intelligent, AI-powered financial technology as they accelerate their digital transformation journeys. As one of Africa’s fastest-growing technology and innovation hubs, Kenya continues to set the pace as today’s finance leaders need real-time insights, intelligent automation, and scalable cloud platforms to keep up with that momentum.”
Darius Bester ACMA/CGMA, Senior Accountant, Q4 Fuel (Pty) Ltd says, “As Q4 Fuel scaled into a complex, multi-entity operation, our legacy systems could no longer keep up. Sage Intacct has transformed how we run finance across the group, giving us real-time visibility across all 28 entities, stronger control over assets and compliance, and faster, more reliable reporting. We’ve cut month-end close by up to 10 days, reduced invoice processing from a full day to just a few hours and continue to see 10–20% month-on-month efficiency gains. By integrating directly with our POS and operational systems, we’ve eliminated manual imports and improved data integrity, allowing our finance team to focus on higher-value work like inventory and margin analysis.”
As innovation continues to move at pace, Sage has an exciting roadmap for AI features that will unlock faster decision-making and give finance leaders more time to focus on impact. Sage is committed to bringing the best new technology to Kenya and the rest of Africa.
Gerhard Hartman, Vice President for Medium Business, Sage Africa & Middle East concludes: “Kenya’s Digital Economy Blueprint and the National AI Strategy 2025-2030, clearly signal the country’s ambition to harness AI and automation to transform critical sectors such as agriculture, fintech, public services, and innovation-led entrepreneurship. As digital transformation accelerates, businesses across Kenya are moving beyond legacy systems and embracing intelligent, cloud-based platforms. Sage Intacct is purpose-built for this moment, helping organisations not only automate and streamline financial operations, but also unlock the insight, agility, and innovation needed to lead in Kenya’s next phase of economic growth. Through intelligent automation and real-time financial insights, Sage Intacct enables finance teams in a digital-first economy.”
Following successful launches in South Africa, the UAE and other SADC countries, Sage Intacct will be brought to Kenya through certified business partners offering deep expertise in specific vertical markets.
Sage Intacct success stories Sage has built a strong base of Sage Intacct clients in South Africa since launching the solution in 2020, including Wild Eye, Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund, ATKV, and Retail Capital, to name a few.
Find out how customers are using Sage Intacct to drive better business outcomes on our Customer Success Stories page.
Sage Intacct helped Q4 Fuel overcome manual processes, achieve a 10-day faster month-end close, and shift finance from reporting to strategy.
Sage Intacct gives Wild Eye the structure and visibility to make confident decisions as it grows.
Sage Intacct has elevated LPFF’s operational excellence and enabled it to navigate the complex and evolving legal and regulatory landscape.
Sage Intacct enhanced ATKV’s communication and standardised processes, enabling real-time access to information from any device.
Sage Intacct enabled Retail Capital’s transactions to be 99% automated.
About Sage Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of Small and Mid-Sized Businesses served by us, our partners, and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR, and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our digital network connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology, and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality, and the climate crisis.
Sage Intacct is currently available to customers in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, Australia, the UAE, some SADC countries and South Africa.
Prof. Benedict Oramah, President Afreximbank and Akaego Okoye, Founder African Business Stories
NEW YORK, United States of America, 02nd October 2025-/African Media Agency (AMA)/- On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, African Business Stories (ABS) marked the one-year anniversary of its flagship Roundtable Series with two milestones: the presentation of its inaugural Africa Champion Award to Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), and the launch of its first Impact Report, capturing a year of progress in closing Africa’s $42 billion gender financing gap.
The event opened with special remarks from Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick(Florida’s 20th District), who underscored the urgency of shifting from aid to trade in U.S.–Africa relations. She highlighted new U.S. legislation enabling diaspora remittances to be reinvested as capital and reaffirmed her commitment to the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
“When women start businesses, they create jobs, change communities, and shift entire economies,” said Cherfilus-McCormick.
Left to Right: Ejike Egbuagu, CEO Moneda Invest, Kanayo Awani, EVP Afreximbank, Florie Liser, President & CEO Corporate Council on Africa, Prof. Benedict Oramah, President Afreximbank, Akaego Okoye, Founder African Business Stories, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs, Nigeria
The award was presented by Ms. Florie Liser, President & CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa, who praised Prof. Oramah’s transformative leadership in expanding Afreximbank’s assets and guarantees eight-fold, growing revenues seven-fold, and ensuring women, youth, and SMEs have access to trade and capital opportunities.
“Prof. Oramah embodies the foresight to envision a stronger Africa through trade, the resolve to mobilize billions in capital for transformative initiatives, and the commitment to ensure that women, youth, and SMEs are not left behind,” said Liser.
Left to Right: Ejike Egbuagu, CEO Moneda Invest, Hon. Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, and Cheryl Buss, CEO, Absa International
In his acceptance remarks, Prof. Oramah underscored the importance of narrative ownership and boldness in Africa’s development journey:
“The problem of Africa is that others have been telling our stories — and telling them in ways that put us down. We must tell our own stories and define African best practices.”
He also called for ambition in mobilizing resources at scale:
“Small projects rarely succeed. If we want to compete globally, Africa must think big and act boldly.”
Left to Right: Nnedi Ifudu Nweke, Partner Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Ifedayo Agoro Founder, Dang! Lifestyle and Lesego Serolong-Holzapfel, Founder, Moedi Wines
The ABS Impact Report, unveiled by Founder Akaego Okoye, documents five high-level convenings held across New York, Washington, D.C., and Luanda, Angola over the past year. These gatherings brought women founders face-to-face with policymakers, financiers, and global leaders, and laid the groundwork for new access to markets and capital. The report serves both as a record of impact and a roadmap for future action.
Alongside these milestones, the Roundtable featured:
A Founders Panel with Ifedayo Agoro (Dang! Lifestyle) and Lesego Serolong-Holzapfel (Moedi Wines), sharing the realities of accessing capital, navigating trade barriers, and scaling globally
A Public–Private Dialogue with Hon. Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs) and Cheryl Buss (CEO, Absa International), highlighting how policy frameworks and innovative financial products must align to unlock scale for women entrepreneurs
The signing of an MOU between Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Domena Commodities Limited to expand women’s participation in agribusiness and trade
“The $42 billion funding gap is not just a challenge, it is an opportunity,” said Akaego Okoye. “This first year has proven that when women are seen, connected, and resourced, they don’t just grow businesses — they transform economies. ABS will continue to create the access and partnerships needed to catalyze their success.”
African Business Stories (ABS) is a platform committed to amplifying the voices of African women entrepreneurs and accelerating the growth of women-led businesses across the continent. Through storytelling, high-level convenings, and access-building initiatives, ABS tackles the $42 billion financing gap facing women entrepreneurs in Africa.
New partnership will join others to expand access to generic lenacapavir for millions more people at risk of HIV in high-burden countries—bringing the world closer to ending the epidemic
NEW YORK, United States of America, September 24th, 2025 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Millions more people at risk of HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will have access to a powerful new prevention option: a low-cost, generic version of lenacapavir, the world’s first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
A new partnership announced today between the Gates Foundation and Indian manufacturer Hetero Labs (Hetero)—supported by upfront funding and volume guarantees—will enable the company to manufacture generic lenacapavir at roughly $40 per patient per year (after a short pre-treatment oral regimen), a price point designed to make the breakthrough treatment affordable for national health systems.
“Hetero is pleased to partner with the Gates Foundation to create a pathway for the sustainable and affordable supply of lenacapavir,” said Dr. Vamsi Krishna, managing director of Hetero Group of
Companies. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to ensuring access to innovative HIV medicines for patients in India and other low- and middle-income countries.”
In a parallel move today, Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Wits RHI announced new commitments with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), another Indian manufacturer, reinforcing efforts to build a competitive generics ecosystem. The accelerated development of a large-scale generic supply of lenacapavir, which is anticipated as early as 2027 pending regulatory approval, will reduce the time between initial doses and provide wider access to the drug. This move could potentially transform the fight against HIV and help end the epidemic faster and more equitably.
The new collaborations complement agreements already in place between the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Gilead Sciences; and the U.S. State Department through PEPFAR, and supported by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), to roll out the initial supply of
lenacapavir in LMICs, potentially reaching countries as early as the end of 2025.
A New Era for HIV Prevention
Lenacapavir for PrEP—approved by the U.S. FDA in June and the European Commission in August—offers six months of protection with a single injection, adding a powerful new prevention option for communities underserved by existing methods. Public health experts see it as a transformative option
for people who face barriers to daily oral PrEP, including stigma, adherence challenges, and inconsistent access to medication.
Despite global progress driving down HIV rates and AIDS-related deaths since 2000, 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2024, and only 18% of people who could benefit from PrEP currently have access.
Modeling suggests that the introduction of lenacapavir has the potential to prevent significant numbers of HIV infections. In fact, one study showed that scaling up access to affordable lenacapavir to just 4% of the population in high-burden countries could prevent up to 20% of new infections. That potential drives the urgency of this investment.
Reducing the Burden of HIV/AIDS
As part of its broader commitment to ending deadly infectious diseases, the foundation has made more than $80 million in catalytic investments to accelerate market readiness, scale delivery, and shorten the timeline for generic entry of lenacapavir.
“Scientific advances like lenacapavir can help us end the HIV epidemic—if they are made accessible to people who can benefit from them the most,” said Trevor Mundel, president of global health at the Gates Foundation. “We are committed to ensuring that those at highest risk, who can least afford it,
aren’t left behind.”
Today’s announcement reflects the foundation’s work with governments, communities, partners, and programs like the Global Fund and PEPFAR to ensure that regulatory approvals, delivery systems, and community-led approaches are in place to speed delivery of scientific breakthroughs to the people who often wait the longest.
This latest agreement builds on the foundation’s long-standing support of the Global Fund, which has helped cut global HIV rates by 82% in countries where it invests. Earlier this week, Chair Bill Gates announced the foundation’s $912 million pledge to the Global Fund’s 2026-2028 replenishment fundraising campaign, which aims to save 23 million lives from HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis between
2027 and 2029. The new agreements with Hetero and DRL will help the Global Fund increase impact by reducing costs at scale.
Building a Generics Ecosystem
In 2024, Gilead Sciences granted royalty-free licenses for lenacapavir production to six generic manufacturers for 120 low- and middle-income countries. Following regulatory approvals, generic
lenacapavir will flow through national HIV programs and public procurement channels such as the Global Fund. The Hetero agreement also includes an affordable supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient
(API), enabling other generic manufacturers to scale quickly and efficiently.
“The deals announced today on generics are a major step forward in ending the HIV epidemic,” said Kate Hampton, CEO of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. “They build on full value-chain
investments by CIFF and others to foster a competitive market so that access to lenacapavir is affordable and reliable for all those who need it.”
Earlier this year, Gates made a historic announcement that he would give away virtually all of his wealth to the foundation to accelerate progress on saving and improving lives. He also announced the foundation would spend $200 billion over the next 20 years, working with its partners to make as much progress as possible toward three primary goals: end preventable deaths of moms and babies; ensure
the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases; and lift millions of people out of poverty, putting them on a path to prosperity. At the end of the 20-year period, the foundation will sunset its operations.
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.
About Goalkeepers
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.
New partnership will join others to expand access to generic lenacapavir for millions more people at risk of HIV in high-burden countries—bringing the world closer to ending the epidemic
NEW YORK, United States of America, September 24th, 2025 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- Millions more people at risk of HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will have access to a powerful new prevention option: a low-cost, generic version of lenacapavir, the world’s first twice-yearly injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
A new partnership announced today between the Gates Foundation and Indian manufacturer Hetero Labs (Hetero)—supported by upfront funding and volume guarantees—will enable the company to manufacture generic lenacapavir at roughly $40 per patient per year (after a short pre-treatment oral regimen), a price point designed to make the breakthrough treatment affordable for national health systems.
“Hetero is pleased to partner with the Gates Foundation to create a pathway for the sustainable and affordable supply of lenacapavir,” said Dr. Vamsi Krishna, managing director of Hetero Group of
Companies. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to ensuring access to innovative HIV medicines for patients in India and other low- and middle-income countries.”
In a parallel move today, Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Wits RHI announced new commitments with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. (DRL), another Indian manufacturer, reinforcing efforts to build a competitive generics ecosystem. The accelerated development of a large-scale generic supply of lenacapavir, which is anticipated as early as 2027 pending regulatory approval, will reduce the time between initial doses and provide wider access to the drug. This move could potentially transform the fight against HIV and help end the epidemic faster and more equitably.
The new collaborations complement agreements already in place between the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Gilead Sciences; and the U.S. State Department through PEPFAR, and supported by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), to roll out the initial supply of
lenacapavir in LMICs, potentially reaching countries as early as the end of 2025.
A New Era for HIV Prevention
Lenacapavir for PrEP—approved by the U.S. FDA in June and the European Commission in August—offers six months of protection with a single injection, adding a powerful new prevention option for communities underserved by existing methods. Public health experts see it as a transformative option
for people who face barriers to daily oral PrEP, including stigma, adherence challenges, and inconsistent access to medication.
Despite global progress driving down HIV rates and AIDS-related deaths since 2000, 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2024, and only 18% of people who could benefit from PrEP currently have access.
Modeling suggests that the introduction of lenacapavir has the potential to prevent significant numbers of HIV infections. In fact, one study showed that scaling up access to affordable lenacapavir to just 4% of the population in high-burden countries could prevent up to 20% of new infections. That potential drives the urgency of this investment.
Reducing the Burden of HIV/AIDS
As part of its broader commitment to ending deadly infectious diseases, the foundation has made more than $80 million in catalytic investments to accelerate market readiness, scale delivery, and shorten the timeline for generic entry of lenacapavir.
“Scientific advances like lenacapavir can help us end the HIV epidemic—if they are made accessible to people who can benefit from them the most,” said Trevor Mundel, president of global health at the Gates Foundation. “We are committed to ensuring that those at highest risk, who can least afford it,
aren’t left behind.”
Today’s announcement reflects the foundation’s work with governments, communities, partners, and programs like the Global Fund and PEPFAR to ensure that regulatory approvals, delivery systems, and community-led approaches are in place to speed delivery of scientific breakthroughs to the people who often wait the longest.
This latest agreement builds on the foundation’s long-standing support of the Global Fund, which has helped cut global HIV rates by 82% in countries where it invests. Earlier this week, Chair Bill Gates announced the foundation’s $912 million pledge to the Global Fund’s 2026-2028 replenishment fundraising campaign, which aims to save 23 million lives from HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis between
2027 and 2029. The new agreements with Hetero and DRL will help the Global Fund increase impact by reducing costs at scale.
Building a Generics Ecosystem
In 2024, Gilead Sciences granted royalty-free licenses for lenacapavir production to six generic manufacturers for 120 low- and middle-income countries. Following regulatory approvals, generic
lenacapavir will flow through national HIV programs and public procurement channels such as the Global Fund. The Hetero agreement also includes an affordable supply of the active pharmaceutical ingredient
(API), enabling other generic manufacturers to scale quickly and efficiently.
“The deals announced today on generics are a major step forward in ending the HIV epidemic,” said Kate Hampton, CEO of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation. “They build on full value-chain
investments by CIFF and others to foster a competitive market so that access to lenacapavir is affordable and reliable for all those who need it.”
Earlier this year, Gates made a historic announcement that he would give away virtually all of his wealth to the foundation to accelerate progress on saving and improving lives. He also announced the foundation would spend $200 billion over the next 20 years, working with its partners to make as much progress as possible toward three primary goals: end preventable deaths of moms and babies; ensure
the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases; and lift millions of people out of poverty, putting them on a path to prosperity. At the end of the 20-year period, the foundation will sunset its operations.
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.
About Goalkeepers
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.
At 2025 Goalkeepers event, Gates lays out roadmap for saving millions more children’s lives by 2045 if governments stretch every dollar and scale a pipeline of affordable, lifesaving innovations
Announces new pledge to the Global Fund 2026-2028 replenishment to prevent deaths from AIDS, TB, and malaria
Honors President of the Government of Spain with 2025 Global Goalkeeper Award and 10 champions for their ingenuity and resilience, and for offering hope, solutions in the face of steep funding cuts
NEW YORK, United States of America, September 23rd, 2025 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- At its 2025 Goalkeepers event, Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates stood before an audience of more than 1,000 global government, community, philanthropy, and private-sector leaders and issued a stark but hopeful call to world leaders: save millions of children’s lives and make some of the deadliest diseases history by 2045.
“Humanity is at a crossroads. With millions of children’s lives on the line, global leaders have a once-in-a-generation chance to do something extraordinary,” said Gates. “The choices they make now—whether to go forward with proposed steep cuts to health aid or to give the world’s children the chance they deserve to live a healthy life—will determine what kind of future we leave the next generation.”
This year, donor countries dealing with domestic challenges, high debt levels, and aging populations made dramatic funding cuts to global development assistance for health (DAH). According to a recent study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), global DAH fell by 21% between 2024 and 2025, and is now at a 15-year low. With key global health funding decisions expected before the end of the year, total funding levels could rise. However, if the current cuts hold, they threaten decades of progress that saw child mortality cut in half since 2000—from 10 million children to less than 5 million children a year—one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
During the annual event, which this year focused on reigniting a shared commitment to saving children’s lives, Gates announced his foundation’s pledge of $912 million over three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s 2026-2028 replenishment. The Global Fund is one of the most effective lifesaving initiatives of the 21st century. Its fundraising replenishment cycle ends this November, underscoring the urgency for governments to make pivotal decisions in the coming weeks and months for the lives of millions of people.
“What’s happening to the health of the world’s children is worse than most people realize, but our long-term prospects are better than most people can imagine,” said Gates. “I don’t expect most governments to suddenly restore foreign aid to historic levels, but I am an optimist, and I believe governments can and will do what’s needed to save as many children as possible,” said Gates.
With shrinking global health budgets as the backdrop, the Goalkeepers event highlighted the people, science and innovations, and policies that are accelerating solutions for how leaders can do more with less.
A Roadmap to a Healthier Future
“We have a roadmap for saving millions of children and making some of the deadliest childhood diseases history by 2045,” Gates asserted. “I’m urging world leaders to invest in the health of all people, especially children, to deliver this future.”
Results from work by the Gates Foundation and the IHME indicate that sustaining global investments in child health and scaling lifesaving innovations could cut child deaths in half again over the next 20 years.
The roadmap includes:
Renewing investments in proven initiatives, such as the Global Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to help countries make smarter, more cost-effective health decisions; gain access to proven vaccines, medicines, and treatments; and focus on sustainability and transitioning to self-reliance
Prioritizing primary health care systems—even in the face of challenging budget decisions—to prevent, detect, and treat childhood illnesses early
Investing in further R&D and effectively rolling out breakthrough innovations that include:
A suite of new approaches to combating malaria, including innovations that prevent mosquitoes from carrying parasites and single-dose treatments to accelerate eradication of the disease
Long-acting HIV drugs and prevention options that replace daily pills to drive AIDS deaths down to single digits
New maternal vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and group B streptococcus (GBS) that have the potential to protect babies from deadly respiratory illnesses
Artificial intelligence to leverage smarter, faster, and cheaper delivery of safe, cost-effective medicines to dramatically improve lives
A New Three-Year Commitment to the Global Fund
Since 2002, the Global Fund has saved more than 70 million lives; reduced deaths from AIDS, TB, and malaria by more than 60%; and strengthened global health security. Each dollar invested in the Global Fund delivers an estimated $19 in health and economic returns.
The foundation’s new pledge brings its total commitments to the Global Fund to $4.9 billion since 2002, making it one of the foundation’s largest investments. The pledge aims to galvanize governments, philanthropists, and the private sector to come to the table with significant investments for the fund’s Eighth Replenishment, which is co-hosted by South Africa and the United Kingdom. With millions of lives on the line, the level of investment in the Global Fund over the next three years will determine whether the world saves millions of lives; curbs HIV, TB, and malaria; and bolsters economies and global health security.
“An entire generation is alive today thanks to the world’s generosity, smart investments, and the hard work of governments and Global Fund partners,” Gates said. “Now, we must go further so the next generation grows up in a world where no child dies from preventable causes.”
Celebrating Goalkeeper Award and Champions
In recognition of his continued commitment to advance the Global Goals, the foundation announced President of the Government of Spain Pedro Sánchez as the winner of its 2025 Global Goalkeeper Award. Under Prime Minister Sanchez’s leadership, Spain increased contributions to the Global Fund this year by nearly 12% and to Gavi by 30%, expanded official development assistance (ODA), and hosted the landmark International Conference on Financing for Development in June 2025.
The event also honored Goalkeepers Champions—experts, innovators, and advocates driving progress in child survival worldwide. They include:
Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang (India) – Pioneering community-based health care in India
David Beckham (UK) – Advocating for child health and education
Krystal Mwesiga Birungi (Uganda) – Championing youth-centered policies and equitable health access across Africa
Toni Garrn (Germany) – Mobilizing resources to expand education and health care for girls
John Green (USA) – Using storytelling and advocacy to spark vital conversations on tuberculosis and mental health among young people
Osas Ighodaro (Nigeria) – Driving awareness and action in the fight against malaria
Dr. Donald Kaberuka (Rwanda) – Advancing global health financing for effective health system strengthening and expanding access to health care worldwide
Jerop Limo (Kenya) – Advancing HIV awareness and care for children and families across Africa
Reem Al-Hashimy (United Arab Emirates) – Championing investments in health and education through initiatives like Dubai Cares
Dr. Naveen Thacker (India) – Advancing child health through community-based innovations
“We Can’t Stop at Almost”
The Goalkeepers event was co-hosted by singer, songwriter, and composer Jon Batiste, who returned as musical curator for the second year with the PS22 elementary school choir, and actress and director Olivia Wilde. Together, they urged the audience to remember that while the world has made progress, “we can’t stop at almost,” which was the event’s theme.
Community champions, scientists, health workers, faith leaders, and activists from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and the United States shared powerful stories of resilience and innovation. Several showcased breakthrough technologies already saving lives and moving the world closer to eradicating deadly diseases.
“Every year, Goalkeepers unites changemakers to inspire and push one another forward,” said Dawda Jobarteh, deputy director of the foundation’s Goalkeepers campaign. “Together, we can reimagine a future without preventable child deaths and unlock the next wave of breakthroughs for the world’s children.”
Event session presenters included Rick Warren, pastor and author; El Hadji Mansour Sy, co- president of World Council of Religions for Peace; Ingrid Silva, ballet dancer and activist; Krista Tippett, journalist and author; Latif Nasser, co-host of “Radiolab”; and Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia’s minister of health.
Looking Ahead
Later this year, Goalkeepers will expand to the Middle East for the first time, convening leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the region and beyond in Abu Dhabi on December 8.
Ahead of that, the foundation will release its 2025 Goalkeepers Report, focusing on the impact that leaders’ choices between now and the end of the year will have on saving children’s lives.
Earlier this year, Gates made a historic announcement that he would give away virtually all of his wealth to the foundation to advance progress on saving and improving lives. He also announced the foundation would spend $200 billion over the next 20 years, working with its partners to make as much progress as possible towards three primary goals: end preventable deaths of moms and babies; ensure the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases; and lift millions of people out of poverty, putting them on a path to prosperity. At the end of the 20-year period, the foundation will sunset its operations.
Photos and b-roll from the event, full bios of the Goalkeepers champions, and more can be found here.
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.
About Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers is the foundation’s campaign to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals). By sharing stories and data behind the Global Goals through an annual report, the Gates Foundation hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders— Goalkeepers who raise awareness of progress, hold their leaders accountable, and drive action to achieve the Global Goals.
At 2025 Goalkeepers event, Gates lays out roadmap for saving millions more children’s lives by 2045 if governments stretch every dollar and scale a pipeline of affordable, lifesaving innovations
Announces new pledge to the Global Fund 2026-2028 replenishment to prevent deaths from AIDS, TB, and malaria
Honors President of the Government of Spain with 2025 Global Goalkeeper Award and 10 champions for their ingenuity and resilience, and for offering hope, solutions in the face of steep funding cuts
NEW YORK, United States of America, September 23rd, 2025 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- At its 2025 Goalkeepers event, Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates stood before an audience of more than 1,000 global government, community, philanthropy, and private-sector leaders and issued a stark but hopeful call to world leaders: save millions of children’s lives and make some of the deadliest diseases history by 2045.
“Humanity is at a crossroads. With millions of children’s lives on the line, global leaders have a once-in-a-generation chance to do something extraordinary,” said Gates. “The choices they make now—whether to go forward with proposed steep cuts to health aid or to give the world’s children the chance they deserve to live a healthy life—will determine what kind of future we leave the next generation.”
This year, donor countries dealing with domestic challenges, high debt levels, and aging populations made dramatic funding cuts to global development assistance for health (DAH). According to a recent study by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), global DAH fell by 21% between 2024 and 2025, and is now at a 15-year low. With key global health funding decisions expected before the end of the year, total funding levels could rise. However, if the current cuts hold, they threaten decades of progress that saw child mortality cut in half since 2000—from 10 million children to less than 5 million children a year—one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
During the annual event, which this year focused on reigniting a shared commitment to saving children’s lives, Gates announced his foundation’s pledge of $912 million over three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s 2026-2028 replenishment. The Global Fund is one of the most effective lifesaving initiatives of the 21st century. Its fundraising replenishment cycle ends this November, underscoring the urgency for governments to make pivotal decisions in the coming weeks and months for the lives of millions of people.
“What’s happening to the health of the world’s children is worse than most people realize, but our long-term prospects are better than most people can imagine,” said Gates. “I don’t expect most governments to suddenly restore foreign aid to historic levels, but I am an optimist, and I believe governments can and will do what’s needed to save as many children as possible,” said Gates.
With shrinking global health budgets as the backdrop, the Goalkeepers event highlighted the people, science and innovations, and policies that are accelerating solutions for how leaders can do more with less.
A Roadmap to a Healthier Future
“We have a roadmap for saving millions of children and making some of the deadliest childhood diseases history by 2045,” Gates asserted. “I’m urging world leaders to invest in the health of all people, especially children, to deliver this future.”
Results from work by the Gates Foundation and the IHME indicate that sustaining global investments in child health and scaling lifesaving innovations could cut child deaths in half again over the next 20 years.
The roadmap includes:
Renewing investments in proven initiatives, such as the Global Fund and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to help countries make smarter, more cost-effective health decisions; gain access to proven vaccines, medicines, and treatments; and focus on sustainability and transitioning to self-reliance
Prioritizing primary health care systems—even in the face of challenging budget decisions—to prevent, detect, and treat childhood illnesses early
Investing in further R&D and effectively rolling out breakthrough innovations that include:
A suite of new approaches to combating malaria, including innovations that prevent mosquitoes from carrying parasites and single-dose treatments to accelerate eradication of the disease
Long-acting HIV drugs and prevention options that replace daily pills to drive AIDS deaths down to single digits
New maternal vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and group B streptococcus (GBS) that have the potential to protect babies from deadly respiratory illnesses
Artificial intelligence to leverage smarter, faster, and cheaper delivery of safe, cost-effective medicines to dramatically improve lives
A New Three-Year Commitment to the Global Fund
Since 2002, the Global Fund has saved more than 70 million lives; reduced deaths from AIDS, TB, and malaria by more than 60%; and strengthened global health security. Each dollar invested in the Global Fund delivers an estimated $19 in health and economic returns.
The foundation’s new pledge brings its total commitments to the Global Fund to $4.9 billion since 2002, making it one of the foundation’s largest investments. The pledge aims to galvanize governments, philanthropists, and the private sector to come to the table with significant investments for the fund’s Eighth Replenishment, which is co-hosted by South Africa and the United Kingdom. With millions of lives on the line, the level of investment in the Global Fund over the next three years will determine whether the world saves millions of lives; curbs HIV, TB, and malaria; and bolsters economies and global health security.
“An entire generation is alive today thanks to the world’s generosity, smart investments, and the hard work of governments and Global Fund partners,” Gates said. “Now, we must go further so the next generation grows up in a world where no child dies from preventable causes.”
Celebrating Goalkeeper Award and Champions
In recognition of his continued commitment to advance the Global Goals, the foundation announced President of the Government of Spain Pedro Sánchez as the winner of its 2025 Global Goalkeeper Award. Under Prime Minister Sanchez’s leadership, Spain increased contributions to the Global Fund this year by nearly 12% and to Gavi by 30%, expanded official development assistance (ODA), and hosted the landmark International Conference on Financing for Development in June 2025.
The event also honored Goalkeepers Champions—experts, innovators, and advocates driving progress in child survival worldwide. They include:
Dr. Abhay Bang and Dr. Rani Bang (India) – Pioneering community-based health care in India
David Beckham (UK) – Advocating for child health and education
Krystal Mwesiga Birungi (Uganda) – Championing youth-centered policies and equitable health access across Africa
Toni Garrn (Germany) – Mobilizing resources to expand education and health care for girls
John Green (USA) – Using storytelling and advocacy to spark vital conversations on tuberculosis and mental health among young people
Osas Ighodaro (Nigeria) – Driving awareness and action in the fight against malaria
Dr. Donald Kaberuka (Rwanda) – Advancing global health financing for effective health system strengthening and expanding access to health care worldwide
Jerop Limo (Kenya) – Advancing HIV awareness and care for children and families across Africa
Reem Al-Hashimy (United Arab Emirates) – Championing investments in health and education through initiatives like Dubai Cares
Dr. Naveen Thacker (India) – Advancing child health through community-based innovations
“We Can’t Stop at Almost”
The Goalkeepers event was co-hosted by singer, songwriter, and composer Jon Batiste, who returned as musical curator for the second year with the PS22 elementary school choir, and actress and director Olivia Wilde. Together, they urged the audience to remember that while the world has made progress, “we can’t stop at almost,” which was the event’s theme.
Community champions, scientists, health workers, faith leaders, and activists from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and the United States shared powerful stories of resilience and innovation. Several showcased breakthrough technologies already saving lives and moving the world closer to eradicating deadly diseases.
“Every year, Goalkeepers unites changemakers to inspire and push one another forward,” said Dawda Jobarteh, deputy director of the foundation’s Goalkeepers campaign. “Together, we can reimagine a future without preventable child deaths and unlock the next wave of breakthroughs for the world’s children.”
Event session presenters included Rick Warren, pastor and author; El Hadji Mansour Sy, co- president of World Council of Religions for Peace; Ingrid Silva, ballet dancer and activist; Krista Tippett, journalist and author; Latif Nasser, co-host of “Radiolab”; and Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Indonesia’s minister of health.
Looking Ahead
Later this year, Goalkeepers will expand to the Middle East for the first time, convening leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the region and beyond in Abu Dhabi on December 8.
Ahead of that, the foundation will release its 2025 Goalkeepers Report, focusing on the impact that leaders’ choices between now and the end of the year will have on saving children’s lives.
Earlier this year, Gates made a historic announcement that he would give away virtually all of his wealth to the foundation to advance progress on saving and improving lives. He also announced the foundation would spend $200 billion over the next 20 years, working with its partners to make as much progress as possible towards three primary goals: end preventable deaths of moms and babies; ensure the next generation grows up without having to suffer from deadly infectious diseases; and lift millions of people out of poverty, putting them on a path to prosperity. At the end of the 20-year period, the foundation will sunset its operations.
Photos and b-roll from the event, full bios of the Goalkeepers champions, and more can be found here.
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, we work with partners to create impactful solutions so that people can take charge of their futures and achieve their full potential. In the United States, we aim to ensure that everyone—especially those with the fewest resources—has access to the opportunities needed to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and our governing board.
About Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers is the foundation’s campaign to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals). By sharing stories and data behind the Global Goals through an annual report, the Gates Foundation hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders— Goalkeepers who raise awareness of progress, hold their leaders accountable, and drive action to achieve the Global Goals.
The US president, Donald Trump, is marking 100 days in office, but with frictions all over, brought about by the global tariffs mostly targeting China.
Democrats have tallied it up: The Trump administration has frozen, stalled, or otherwise disrupted some $430 billion in federal funds — from disease research to Head Start for children to disaster aid — in what top Democrats say is an “unprecedented and dangerous” assault on programs used by countless Americans.
“The first 100 days of the Trump administration have been characterized by chaos, cruelty, and corruption. America is better than this. We should be able to do better for the American people. The Trump administration has failed. And Republicans in Congress are behaving like a useless rubber stamp, and allowing extremism to hurt the American people. Now is a moment of truth. Will a handful of House Republicans step up on behalf of the American people and prevent the largest Medicaid cut in American history? Will House Republicans stand up for the veterans of America? Will House Republicans stand up and stop this effort to take food out of the mouths of children in the United States of America? asked Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the minority Leader.
A recently released AP-NORC poll finds many Americans don’t agree with President Trump’s aggressive efforts to quickly enact his agenda, and even Republicans aren’t overwhelmingly convinced his attention has been in the right place. Americans are nearly twice as likely to say Trump has been mostly focusing on the wrong priorities as to say he’s been focusing on the right ones. The findings suggest Democrats are even unhappier with the reality of the second Trump term than before he was sworn in.
While about 7 in 10 Republicans say Trump has been at least a “good” president so far, only about half say he’s emphasized the right things.
A top Pentagon official told Congress on Thursday that the U.S. has not received a formal request from Niger’s junta to depart the country, saying it has received mixed signals on whether the hundreds of U.S. troops there are no longer welcome.
Celeste Wallander, assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, told the House Armed Services Committee that so far Niger’s ruling military council, known as the CNSP, has not formally asked the U.S. military to leave.
Wallander said the CNSP has said the status of forces agreement, which sets the terms of a U.S. military presence in a country, is now null and void. However, she said the junta has “assured us that American military forces are protected and they will take no action that will endanger them.”
The U.S. military has about 650 troops and another several hundred support personnel still in Niger, which in the past has been a critical hub for counterterrorism operations. But last July mutinous soldiers ousted the country’s democratically elected president and months later asked French forces to leave.
Wallander said the U.S. is continuing to look at ways to conduct operations against violent extremist organizations in the region.
In Niger, U.S. personnel have largely consolidated to one base and continue to run drone operations, but those are limited to force protection, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said.
“There are ongoing conversations with the CNSP to discuss the path forward,” Singh said.
The quick turn of relations had some U.S. lawmakers questioning how Niger could go from a strategic ally to being run by a junta in such a short time.
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, the head of U.S. Africa Command, said that disinformation has played a huge role in Niger and in a number of governments that have fallen across the Sahel in recent years.
There are more than 600 million people across the continent on social media now, compared to just a very small minority who had access just a decade ago, Langley said. Russia has actively and strategically saturated that audience with disinformation, Langley said.
“What we teach, the law of armed conflict and civilian-led governance is failing because it’s being drowned out,” Langley said.
Langley said he has asked the State Department for additional resources to counter Russia’s disinformation campaign.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by U S State Department/UPI/Shutterstock (12231875a) U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman (L) meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Tianjin, on Monday, July 26, 2021.
Washington (CNN)The US and China fought a war of words Monday as each side worked to set the narrative after their latest testy senior-level meetings.
A US delegation led by the Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other officials in Tianjin, China, a week after the Biden administration joined an international coalition to condemn China for its global cyberattacks.
The State Department called the meetings “frank and open” — diplomatic code for a skirmish — and painted Beijing as an international outlier that is subverting international norms, listing China’s genocide in Xinjiang and its refusal to cooperate with an international investigation into the origins of the coronavirus.
“The Deputy Secretary underscored that the United States welcomes the stiff competition between our countries—and that we intend to continue to strengthen our own competitive hand—but that we do not seek conflict with” China, State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement Monday.
Beijing, describing the talks as “in-depth and frank,” responded with a torrent of condemnation. Chinese officials expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with Washington’s “extremely dangerous China policy” and accused it of hypocrisy on human rights.
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