I think bitcoin is ideal for developing countries. It offers alternative forms of payment at much lower costs and for any amount. Micro loans are rapidly growing across the African continent, helping small businesses get up and running. I think bitcoin is a tool that can be utilized to make these businesses keep their costs down. If adopted and used properly, it can certainly propel many countries forward.
We will need to first solve the problem with the high fees while paying 50 cents for a transaction may not seem a lot for someone in the developed world that is a lot of money for someone in Africa that is poor.
The high fees that you are talking about are still considerably lower compared to local money transfer services. Plus the hassle of going to these centers and waiting for your turn adds to the inconvenience. Those are all to the advantage of bitcoin and if Africa, or other countries, eventually adopt bitcoin, it could surely help in alleviating the poverty in certain areas.