There's two arguments that can be made: 'teach a man to fish' is basically what providing Internet access would do, it could enable a whole new generation of people access to information and allow them to significantly improve their lives, or for them to fully realise their potential. How many of them may actually be able to contribute directly to improving their lives, and the lives of millions of others if they had the resources?

But Gates isn't wrong, providing Internet access isn't what they need right now. They need safe water, and a cure to malaria, and improved medical services, and dozens of other things. Where Gates argument falls down is that it doesn't need to be a single focus, why not have the Gates foundation solve malaria cures why another goes after safe water, and another goes after Internet access. A multi-pronged attack to improve lives, and to give them the tools to improve their own.