The Optimist: November Highlights

In this month’s newsletter, we explore how smart investments and locally led solutions are building resilience and expanding opportunity—from transforming traditional savings systems with digital innovation to helping farmers and communities adapt to climate change and eliminate deadly diseases. Read on to learn more about these important topics, and stay up to date with stories, news, events, and more from the Gates Foundation by subscribing to The Optimist today. 

The digital finance fix helping Nigeria’s market vendors grow their businesses 

In Lagos, the age-old practice of esusu—community savings where informal workers pool their money for mutual benefit—is being transformed by digital innovation. When Ifeoma Isietulugo's microsavings business, Feedwell, outgrew her paper ledgers, AbdulAzeez Oguntoyinbo at Lagos Business School's SIDFS Innovation Lab had a solution: Esusu Africa, a digital platform that combines traditional savings groups with modern technology to help market vendors save securely and expand their businesses. The platform now serves more than 180 businesses, reaching over 500,000 customers, and helping Nigerians save more than 100 billion naira (about US$70 million). Discover how digital public infrastructure is making financial systems more inclusive and helping more Nigerians participate more fully in the economy. 

Gates Foundation Announces New Commitment for Smallholder Farmers on the Frontlines of Extreme Weather 

At COP30 in Belém, the Gates Foundation announced a four-year, $1.4 billion investment to help smallholder farmers across sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia build resilience to a warming world and protect hard-won gains against poverty. Farmers in low-income countries produce one-third of the world's food yet receive less than 1% of global climate finance, even as climate change drives food insecurity and reverse gains against poverty. This commitment will scale farmer-led innovations and expand access to climate-resilient crops, digital advisory services, and soil health solutions. Learn more about why investing in farmers' resilience is one of the smartest things we can do for people and the planet. 

Climate resilience is essential to a healthier, more prosperous world 

The world has made remarkable progress over 25 years: child mortality cut in half, global hunger reduced, and economic opportunity expanded. But extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heat waves are now threatening these hard-won gains, pushing deadly diseases into new regions and displacing tens of millions annually. A major new report from Systemiq offers 15 "Adaptation & Resilience Best Buys", high-impact investments already changing lives. From drought-tolerant maize to prenatal vitamins that protect mothers, these proven interventions offer a clear path forward to protecting progress. Read why our CEO Mark Suzman believes investing in climate resilience is one of the smartest ways to future-proof development and save lives. 

What can the world learn from Cabo Verde’s fight against malaria? 

In Cabo Verde, where malaria was once the leading cause of death, government leadership, targeted investment, and strong partners like the Global Fund formed the core of a successful effort that gained WHO malaria-free certification in 2024. From opening the country's first medical entomology lab to making all malaria testing and treatment free, Cabo Verde didn't just eliminate the disease; it strengthened its entire health system. With over a dozen countries closing in on malaria elimination, read how persistence, partnership, and local leadership turned an island nation into a model of global health progress. 

Stay up to date with stories, news, events, and more from the Gates Foundation by subscribing to The Optimist today. 

The Optimist is the Gates Foundation’s newsletter with the latest stories, research, and news from across the foundation. Read about this month’s content and subscribe to get weekly updates on the latest in global health, gender equality, education, and more.