I've read a lot of references concerning outside involvement in Africa. It usually backfires and breeds even more resentment towards industrialized nations because outsiders generaly don't understand or take the time to understand Africa and all its complications. I don't believe in any hippie conspiracy theories. I just think westerners, even the wealthy ones that have access to the needed resources, think they can magically fix Africa and they are wrong in that.
There is no magic fix for Africa. It has slowly been transforming into a dry desert for thousands of years. But there are things that can be done to combat disease, starvation and overpopulation in the area. Gates and others are attempting to help in those ways. Or just nuke the whole place and be done with it. (got to live up to my sig)