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Not Dazzling But Not Invisible : The Ugandan Middle Classes as "Somewhere in Between"

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In January 2016, the Kenyan supermarket chain Uchumi has filed bankruptcy for its Ugandan subsidiaries, due to perpetual losses. And they are not alone: companies like Nestlé, Coca Cola or Barclays are slowly pulling out of Africa and recent reports – such as the Global Wealth Databook from Credit Suisse or from the Pew Research Center – suggest that the size of the African middle class may be much smaller than previously thought. So was the hype in recent years about “Africa rising” (Mahajan, 2009) and the African middle class just a bubble? In order to better comprehend the social and economic transformations taking place on the continent, it can prove helpful to look beyond the dazzling facade of economies such as Kenya or South Africa, and into those countries experiencing steady growth, but nevertheless far from including a well established middle class. Their middle classes are not shopping in big malls, driving cars and going on holidays. Rather, these groups are characterized by the improvement of their livelihoods compared to their parents’ generation, in terms of education, income and housing, but they still feel strongly vulnerable, and do not take their new benefits for granted. This has an important effect on their consumption patterns, and may not turn them into the promising new consumers, as they have sometimes been praised to be. 

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Becky in her grocery store
Becky in her grocery store
© Anna Fichtmüller
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Food Expenditure: Consumption Choices of the Ugandan Middle Classes

Analyzing consumption patterns is one of the important steps to decipher what constitutes Uganda’s emerging middle classes. Where do they shop? How do they prioritize their budgets? Are they engaging in conspicuous consumption, portraying their newly gained wealth, or are they still preoccupied to cover basic needs?

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Not Dazzling But Not Invisible : The Ugandan Middle Classes as "Somewhere in Between"

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Subsaharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa Center
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Founded in 2007, Ifri's Sub-Saharan Africa center produces an in-depth analysis of the African continent and its security, geopolitical, political and socio-economic dynamics (in particular the phenomenon of urbanization). The Center aims to be both, through various publications and conferences, a space for disseminating analyzes intended for the media and the public but also a decision-making tool for political and economic actors with regard to the continent.

The center produces analyses for various organizations such as the Ministry of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the French Development Agency (AFD) and even for various private supports. Its researchers are regularly interviewed by parliamentary committees.

The organization of events of various formats complements the production of analyzes by bringing the different spheres of the public space (academic, political, media, economic and civil society) to meet and exchange analytical tools and visions of the continent. The Sub-Saharan Africa Center regularly welcomes political leaders from different sub-Saharan African countries.

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Date de publication
28 May 2025
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How does Russia maintain economic ties with Africa despite Western sanctions? An analysis of investments, trade, and the circumvention strategies deployed by Moscow.

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The Revenue Sources Sustaining Sudan’s Civil War. Lessons for the year 2023

Date de publication
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Wars require money and resources, and often, most conflicts involve controlling sources of income and supply lines or denying them to enemies. This has been the case in Sudan’s past conflicts and is again as the civil war—between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), commanded by General Abdelfattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by General Mohammed Hamdan Daglo “Hemedti” —has sunk into a protracted conflict.

Ernst Jan HOGENDOORN
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Anglo-Kenyan Relations (1920-2024) : Conflict, Alliance and a Redemptive Arc

Date de publication
03 March 2025
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This article provides an evidentiary basis for postcolonial policy in its analysis of Anglo-Kenyan relations in a decolonization era.

Inaya KHAN
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When City Diplomacy Meets Geopolitics: A Framework to Help Cities Navigate Geopolitical Risk

Date de publication
27 February 2025
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Crises and the increasing polarization of international relations make political risk analysis an indispensable resource for internationally active public and private entities. 

Lorenzo KIHLGREN GRANDI Cecilia Emma SOTTILOTTA
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Becky in her grocery store
© Anna Fichtmüller

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Not Dazzling But Not Invisible : The Ugandan Middle Classes as "Somewhere in Between"