Gates joins Africa's richest man to fight polio in Nigeria

KANO, Nigeria (AFP) - The richest man in Africa and the wealthiest man from the United States joined forces Monday in the battle against polio, which has seen a resurgence in Nigeria despite efforts to eradicate it.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates' foundation and that of Aliko Dangote, the Nigerian businessman labeled Africa's richest by Forbes, announced an alliance during a ceremony in Kano, Nigeria's second city.

Nigeria is one of only three countries still considered to have endemic polio, alongside Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Under the four-year alliance, the Bill and Melinda Gates and Dangote foundations would provide funding, equipment and technical support to the Kano state government to strengthen polio immunisation.