MIDDLE CLASS GROWTH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA – MEASUREMENT, CAUSALITY, INTERACTIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Oluyele Akinkugbe,Karl Wohlmuth

doi:10.35774/jee2019.01.094

Abstract

MIDDLE CLASS GROWTH AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA – MEASUREMENT, CAUSALITY, INTERACTIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Highlights

Many recent studies emphasize the developmental role of a growing African middle class
Small survival enterprises are dominating the income range of the middle class
The paper is about the role of the African middle class as a base for entrepreneurship development

Summary

Introduction

Many recent studies emphasize the developmental role of a growing African middle class. The paper does this by critically interrogating available statistics on the growth of the middle class which are collected and classified by using different definitions and measurement concepts On this basis, the types of entrepreneurship prevalent in the supposed middle class are considered, as entrepreneurship development all over the world and observed in world history depends on income levels, income security, and the abilities of people to accumulate capital, knowledge and networking competencies. The types of entrepreneurship prevalent in the supposed middle class are considered, as entrepreneurship development all over the world and observed in world history depends on income levels, income security, and the abilities of people to accumulate capital, knowledge and networking competencies It is asked whether the middle class in Africa can overcome the «missing middle» of African enterprises, and how the state could support such developmental impacts by further action. The paper is concluded with some policy recommendations to see what can be done at the operational level

Defining and Measuring the African Middle Class

Will entrepreneurs emerge from the African Middle Class?

Findings

Conclusions and Policy Recommendations