PM Abiy Awards Ethiopia’s Highest Honor to Bill Gates for 25 Years of Transformative Support

Addis Ababa, June 1, 2025 (FMC) — Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has conferred the Ethiopia Special Order — the nation’s highest honor — upon Bill Gates in a ceremony held at the National Palace earlier this evening.

The award recognizes the profound and sustained contributions of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Ethiopia over the past 25 years, according to the Office of the Prime Minister.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Abiy thanked Gates for a quarter-century of transformative work, highlighting his journey from technology pioneer to globally respected philanthropist.

He praised Gates’ enduring impact on Ethiopia, noting it has been marked by humility, mutual respect, and a deep commitment to human equality.

The Prime Minister also commended the Foundation’s achievements in key areas such as healthcare, agriculture, digital identity systems, and innovation, underscoring its role as a strong and respectful partner in Ethiopia’s development journey.