A recent survey reveals that global companies are increasingly tapping Africa’s tech hubs to fill remote roles, with 93% of employers planning to expand hiring across the continent. The report highlights Africa’s growing prominence as a source of skilled digital talent.
In Eldoret, some 311 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, web developer Christopher Kirui braces for power outages by switching on his backup inverter before his screen goes dark. At 27, Kirui works remotely for a software firm in Amsterdam a role that has tripled his income over two years.
“Remote work changed everything for me,” he said during a video call. “But I still pay for my own uptime.”
Kirui’s experience reflects a broader transformation across Africa. The September 2025 Rayda/FORWA survey polled 1,006 remote workers across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Egypt, and Ghana, as well as 67 employers. The research also included in-depth interviews with 15 hiring managers and 25 remote workers.
The findings indicate that Africa is rapidly becoming a preferred hub for distributed work, with software development leading demand, followed by UI/UX design and data science. Lagos accounts for over a third of placements, followed by Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg, and Cairo, highlighting the continent’s emerging talent clusters.
“Talent knows no boundaries,” said Francis Osifo, CEO of Rayda. “Employers who strategically invest in African talent build resilient organisations prepared for the future.”
Remote work has brought tangible income gains, with 43% of workers earning between US$1,000 and US$2,000 monthly significantly higher than local market rates. Yet, challenges persist. Frequent power outages and unreliable internet remain major hurdles. The survey found that 42% of workers rely on fuel generators, and 35% maintain solar or inverter systems, at personal costs of $100–$200 per month.
Employers are increasingly addressing these challenges. Some companies provide stipends for internet and power, reducing downtime and supporting productivity. The speed of hiring also reflects confidence in African talent: 39% of employers fill roles within one to two weeks, and technology now accounts for 43% of remote roles.
Artificial intelligence is another emerging factor. Around 86% of employers predict AI will reshape roles, while 63% of workers are actively learning AI-related skills to stay competitive.
Despite the opportunities, disparities remain. Men occupy roughly two-thirds of Africa’s remote workforce, emphasizing the need for targeted initiatives to increase female participation in tech and creative industries.
Experts argue that Africa’s infrastructure, policy frameworks, and payment systems must evolve to sustain this remote-work boom. Recommendations include expanding reliable power and broadband, harmonising cross-border tax and compliance rules, and integrating remote-work training into national digital strategies.
Several firms are already pioneering solutions. Kenyan fintechs fund shared workspaces with solar power and high-speed internet, while Nigerian design agencies provide fixed infrastructure allowances. These models highlight how structural support can boost retention, productivity, and inclusive growth.
For governments, supporting remote work can generate foreign exchange, foster skill transfer, and reduce migration pressures. “Remote work is part of Africa’s export strategy,” Osifo noted. “It’s about exporting skills, not just goods.”
Back in Eldoret, Kirui logs off after a ten-hour workday, dreaming of launching his own design studio and hiring young coders across Kenyan towns. “I just need power that doesn’t blink,” he said. “Then we’ll really compete.”