Your leading article ("Aid should come with strings attached", September 15) is right to worry about handing over unrestricted budgetary support to poorly governed countries.

Despite receiving more than $400 billion in aid, Africa has been getting poorer. Unfortunately the approach of Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary, remains wedded to the handout rather than the hand up.

Aid must be reformed if it is to be effective, with greater emphasis on bottom-up support, such as by giving aid vouchers, spending through local non-government organisations, and using micro-finance to foster the creation of African businesses.

Alex Singleton, Director-General, Globalisation Institute, London SW1