There are different levels of industrialization and modernization. Do I think technology can improve things and be more efficient ... I do.
Do I think Africa should become like the early industrial revolution... I do not... But I do think it can have modern cities and that in general it would help... I do.
Without making a value judgement, the uncomfortable reality is that there are too many people and the most effective policy would be one that addresses human over-population.
Yes people could conceivably reduce their foot print by urbanising, but economic growth also has environmental impact - and probably in some unforeseen ways in the region.
The need for population control policy has been discussed many times on HN. Some argue technology can fix the problem as well as education others are more to the extreme saying we need almost draconian enforcement.
Many scifi writers have explored extreme (and dubious) urbanization which include carbon nano towers (Arthur C Clark Space Odyssey some year I don't remember).
Historically urbanization has a cultural impact on lowering reproduction (source needed but I recall reading it I think in the Economist). That is you may not need as much policy as you might think.
I have looked into some of the wildlife charities in the past and many of them have not done as well as one would hope and this is in part because it doesn't really solve the underlying problem.
Yes it is probably outrageous but increased urbanization and education in Africa would be the best thing for Africa.
IMO give money to charities that help build infrastructure, and education.
Even food and agriculture charities will massively help as many have no choice but to eat bushmeat [1].
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushmeat