Bill Gates Distributes IDR 2.5 Trillion Grants For Indonesia, Focuses On The Health Sector

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (left) escorted Bill Gates to his vehicle after the two met at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (7/5/2025). (doc Setneg)

JAKARTA - The founder of Microsoft and the world's philanthropic figure, Bill Gates, provided financial support to Indonesia in the form of a grant worth US$159 million or around Rp. 2.5 trillion.

This news was conveyed directly by President Prabowo Subianto during a meeting with the Gates Foundation founder at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 7.

"He has distributed a grant of US$159 million to Indonesia," said Prabowo.

Prabowo detailed that the assistance was focused on a number of priority sectors. Most of them, namely US$ 119 million (IDR 1.9 trillion) are allocated to the health sector.

Then, the agricultural and technology sectors each receive a portion of US$ 5 million (Rp 826 billion). Meanwhile, the remaining or more than US$ 28 million (Rp 462 billion) will be distributed to various cross-sectoral social programs.

"For the health sector, it has the greatest support, then agriculture and technology of five million dollars each, as well as other cross-sector social assistance of more than twenty-eight million dollars," Prabowo explained.

Previously, Bill Gates met with President Prabowo and a number of Indonesian businessmen at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 7.

Bill Gates arrived at the Palace at around 08.15 WIB in a black sedan with plate B 8284 ZZH. Prabowo's reception was carried out with the ministers of the Red and White Cabinet.

They are Minister of Foreign Affairs Sugiono, Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, and Cabinet Secretary Lt. Col. Teddy Indra Wijaya.

According to Yusuf Permana, Deputy for Protocol, Press and Media of the Presidential Secretariat, Prabowo's meeting with Bill Gates discussed various development initiatives, especially on global health issues, nutrition, financial inclusion, and public digital infrastructure.