American philanthropy and African education: Toward an analysis

This article analyzes the role of American philanthropic foundations, specifically the Carnegie Corporation of New York, in shaping the evolution of education in former British Africa. It argues that foundation officials’ biases often influence funding decisions, leading to the concentration of resources in specific areas or projects. The author attempts to uncover the criteria behind these decisions, highlighting the significant yet often overlooked role of American foundations as institution builders and implementers of foreign policy in Africa. The analysis contributes to understanding the historical impact of external funding on African educational development.