Philanthropy in Africa Can Backfire

A reader points out that efforts to bring education and clean energy to the poorest of the poor in Africa only creates further dependence.

It’s true that giving things away is antithetical to the concept of establishing commerce. For example, every megawatt of solar we install as an act of philanthropy is a megawatt of solar that a vendor cannot sell. What would be best is the stimulation of these economies, and the establishment of social conditions in which women are not encouraged to have a dozen or more children.