Africa is home to seven of the world's fastest growing economies, but Gates said real growth can only be measured through improvements in basic human needs, namely health and nutrition.
Gates is the founder and former chief of Microsoft, and is currently the wealthiest man on the planet with a net worth of over $80 billion (59 billion euros), according to Forbes.
Health and agriculture development are key if African countries are to overcome poverty and grow, US software billionaire Bill Gates said Thursday, as he received an honorary degree in Ethiopia.
"By getting things right in these two areas, the gains can be exceptional," Gates said, calling health and agriculture "enabling factors for all the other things that need to be done."
