Horizon1000 aims to support 1,000 primary clinics by 2028, helping health workers save time and reach more patients.
DAVOS, Switzerland, 22 January 2026 – The Gates Foundation and OpenAI are launching a new USD 50 million partnership to help African countries strengthen their healthcare systems using artificial intelligence. The initiative, called Horizon1000, is expected to support national health leaders in finding practical and responsible ways to use AI in real medical settings, starting with Rwanda.
Bill Gates announced the partnership during the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying AI could play a major role in expanding access to quality healthcare in countries facing serious shortages of doctors, nurses, and medical infrastructure. He noted that in many low-resource regions, health workers are overstretched and clinics often lack the tools needed to handle growing patient needs. In such settings, AI could help make healthcare faster, more efficient, and easier to reach.
According to Gates, the goal is not to replace health professionals, but to support them. He described AI as a potential “game-changer” that can reduce pressure on healthcare workers and help provide better care to more people, especially in areas where medical services are limited.
Horizon1000 plans to work closely with African leaders and health systems to decide where AI tools can make the biggest difference. Rwanda will be the first country involved, and the country has already taken steps toward AI-driven healthcare innovation. Rwanda recently set up an AI health hub in Kigali, showing early readiness to test and scale technology that can help clinics operate more smoothly.
Rwanda’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, highlighted that the initiative will focus on using AI responsibly. She said the purpose is to reduce the burden on healthcare staff, improve the quality of treatment, and reach more patients who may otherwise struggle to access consistent care.
The programme aims to reach 1,000 primary health clinics and surrounding communities across several African countries by 2028. Gates pointed out that some nations have only one doctor for every 50,000 people, even in major cities. That gap makes it difficult to deliver timely care, and it increases the risk that patients will not receive support until their conditions become more serious.
A key focus area for Horizon1000 is expected to be care for pregnant women and people living with HIV. Gates suggested AI tools could help provide guidance and reminders before patients arrive at clinics, especially when language differences make communication harder. This could help patients understand symptoms, follow health advice, and prepare for appointments more confidently.
Once patients arrive at the clinic, AI could also help speed up the process by reducing paperwork and improving how medical histories, follow-ups, and appointments are tracked. Gates said the technology could make a typical visit nearly twice as fast while also improving the overall quality of care.
The broader idea behind the initiative is to make sure the benefits of healthcare innovation reach everyone, not only in countries with high budgets and advanced hospitals. If Horizon1000 succeeds, it could set a model for how AI-powered healthcare systems can be introduced in a way that supports workers, strengthens clinics, and helps communities get faster and more reliable medical attention.
