In most parts of the developing world, the middle class is recognized as an indispensable social class with huge political significance. It is often regarded as a cure for the multiplicity of problems enveloping society.
In Africa, the idea of the middle class as indispensable political actors received massive attention from scholars, researchers and governments after the Arab Spring that was characterized by what came to be known as ‘middle class’ protests against ruling regimes in North African countries.
While it has proved difficult to offer a universal definition of a middle class, a simple way to make sense of it is to categorize it as a class occupying a position between the rich and the poor, comprising various professionals, business people, bureaucrats, skilled workers and some farmers.
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