Business
Africa’s emerging middle class continues to drive growth and democracy
At the same time, a greater number of African countries are achieving relative stability in politics and economic policy, allowing the middle class to emerge.
Accurately quantifying this African middle class has become an obsession for institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Bank, as well as consultancies advising corporate clients seeking an edge in this booming continent.
Few doubted that the emerging middle class was an important group for defining Africa’s economic and political course.
As keen users of mobile phones and the Internet, including social media networks, they were plugged into the digital world and international news and therefore had a role as opinion makers and agents of reform and change.
“The mobile phone in Africa is creating a politically conscious class,” said Cowan, citing Kenya’s election in March.
Many analysts believe digital media played a part there in keeping tensions in check during the vote and allowing a generally peaceful poll which averted a repeat of post-election violence that occurred in 2007/2008.
Middle class voters are seen more likely to vote according to policies and issues rather than automatic or traditional allegiances to any party or ethnic group.
AfDB’s Ncube believes the better-educated are supporting a perceived and widening trend towards more democratic maturity and better governance on the continent.
“They are your enlightened voters, they will support policies, and not just an affiliation emotionally,” he said. “They are drivers of democracy.”
