[alfor]

You could not believe the price they have to pay for computer. It is easily 3x, 4x the price we pay for the same hardware. And I they do need computer.

But, it is possible that the logistic/shipping is more expensive than the production of new hardware.

Also, cheaper more energy efficient hardware could be more cost effective.

source: A friend of mine worked for ong in Burkina Faso

[skriticos2]

I do believe you. It's economics of scale: they don't have it.

While most of the western world has huge fright ship docks that can load/unload and ship relatively price efficient, Africa does not.

This means, the primary means to ship stuff there is via airplane, which is notoriously weight constrained, which in turn makes shipping bulk goods expensive.

This makes shipping newer, lighter tech even more cost effective than old hardware.

p.s. This is probably true for anything they need to import, not just tech.

[mattlutze]

I'd be curious to hear more about your history in international shipping, particularly to countries in Africa.

Many countries on the continent appear to have rather robust capacity for their economies.

http://ports.com/browse/africa/map-view/

[mrgriscom]

I think a lot of that price is actually import duties.