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New catalytic funding will expand access to health, climate-resilient agriculture, and access to education across Africa and South Asia

DOHA, QATAR (December 6, 2025) – On the sidelines of the Doha Forum, the Gates Foundation and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) announced a five-year strategic partnership, committing US$500 million to drive accelerated progress in global health, climate-resilient agriculture, and education. The goal of the partnership is to help improve outcomes for mothers, children, and young people across Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The signing ceremony was held in the presence of H.E. Sheikh Thani bin Hamad Al-Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Fund for Development, and Bill Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation, who witnessed the formalization of the agreement.”

“Solving big global health and development challenges takes more than good intentions. It requires practical innovation and partners committed to making sure those breakthroughs reach the people who need them most,” said Bill Gates. “Our partnership with the Qatar Fund for Development will help expand access to the tools that let families build healthier, more productive lives.”

Strengthening Multilateral Health Platforms

Both parties have agreed to strengthen multilateral platforms such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria; and the Lives and Livelihoods Fund.

Fahad Hamad Al- Sulaiti, Director General of the Qatar Fund for Development, stated:

“This partnership reinforces Qatar’s commitment to tackling global development challenges through innovative and scalable financing. By deploying QFFD’s non-grant instruments, concessional loans, equity, guarantees, and transaction structuring, we are setting a new standard for sustainable, impact-driven cooperation. Together, we aim to mobilize US$500 million over five years to unlock transformative solutions for health, food security, climate resilience, and beyond.”

A History of Collaboration

The partnership follows the longstanding collaboration between the Gates Foundation and QFFD, including Nanmo, an initiative investing in climate-adaptive agricultural tools and technologies launched in 2022 to support smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Doha Global South Health Policy Initiative, a South-South community of practice convening senior public health civil servants to address the unmet needs of low- and middle-income countries on policy implementation and solutions. Through the Nanmo partnership, the new funding announced today will expand climate-resilient catalytic projects, such as the aquaculture and nutrition work led by Worldfish, the development of aquaculture in Kenya, and the creation of jobs and improving food security for thousands of smallholder farmers.

About the Gates Foundation 

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 the Qatar Fund for Development

The Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is the State of Qatar’s official institution for international development and humanitarian assistance. Guided by Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and the State’s International Cooperation Strategy, QFFD works to empower communities and improve lives by investing in education, health, economic opportunity, and resilience across more than 100 countries. Leveraging a diversified financing toolkit including concessional loans, guarantees, grants, and blended finance QFFD delivers scalable, sustainable solutions that promote inclusive growth and long-term stability.