The Social Observatory has announced the launch of the African Social Progress Index (ASPI), a new tool designed to measure social progress based on the economic and social realities of the continent. The initiative aims to provide more relevant indicators tailored to African specificities. The ASPI is a collaborative project that will involve researchers, statistical institutions, public and private actors, and African civil society organizations.
The Social Observatory, a non-partisan think tank based in Casablanca, Morocco, has been actively working on this initiative. Its founder and executive president, Oumaima Mhijir, has been driving the project, highlighting the limitations of existing international tools for measuring social progress. One of the key concerns is the informal economy, which accounts for 83% of jobs in Africa and over 86% in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the International Labor Organization.
The Social Observatory argues that traditional indicators, such as bank account ownership, are no longer sufficient to measure financial inclusion. In sub-Saharan Africa, mobile money transactions are expected to reach $1,400 billion by 2025, accounting for over two-thirds of the global value. The think tank also cites the example of land ownership, with Rwanda successfully registering over 10 million plots in less than five years using community-based approaches.
The ASPI is not intended to be a definitive model but rather an evolving framework. It draws on the "capabilities approach" developed by economist Amartya Sen and aims to incorporate the informal economy, customary land tenure systems, and community-based inclusion mechanisms. The Social Observatory emphasizes the importance of "statistical sovereignty" for Africa, enabling the continent to develop its own indicators and frameworks for measuring progress.
The Social Observatory is now inviting researchers, universities, national statistical institutes, and pan-African institutions to contribute to the development of the ASPI. The list of potential collaborators includes CODESRIA, the African Economic Research Consortium, STATAFRIC, the Pan-African Institute of Statistics of the African Union, and the African Centre for Statistics of the Economic Commission for Africa.
The ASPI project has the potential to provide a more nuanced understanding of social progress in Africa. By incorporating diverse perspectives and data sources, the index can help policymakers and stakeholders develop more effective strategies for addressing social and economic challenges. The Social Observatory's initiative has been welcomed by many, who see it as a crucial step towards promoting African-led solutions to development challenges.
The launch of the ASPI marks a significant milestone in the efforts to develop more relevant and effective tools for measuring social progress in Africa. As the index continues to evolve, it is likely to have a lasting impact on the way policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders approach development challenges on the continent.
Key points
- The African Social Progress Index aims to provide more relevant indicators tailored to African specificities.
- The index will incorporate diverse perspectives and data sources, including the informal economy and customary land tenure systems.
- The Social Observatory is inviting researchers and institutions to contribute to the development of the ASPI.
