Remote work, especially in Africa, has rapidly become the new "norm" after the pandemic crisis for a variety of reasons such as productivity, lower office bills, less commute time, and so on.

Africa and Europe are becoming increasingly popular for businesses looking to hire remote employees. Why? Because many people from the two regions are choosing to work from home full-time or from the office part-time. A study conducted during the early stages of the pandemic estimated that by June 2021, half of South Africans would work from home full-time. Currently, 42% of African employees work remotely at least once a day a week. In Nigeria, remote working vacancies increased steadily between 2020 and 2021.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of remote employment in Africa, let's take a look at the basics.

What Is Remote Work?

Working remotely has long been an option. People have been working remotely long before the internet was invented, contrary to popular belief. Everyone worked out of their houses before work became more about where you went to and less about what you do. Carpenters, bakers, and blacksmiths all did their craft and exchanged their wares from the comfort of their own homes. The industrial revolution ushered in a culture of commuting to work and working for eight hours every day.

Remote work is essentially founded on the idea that good work does not have to be done in a certain location. A simple definition of remote work is a sort of employment in which employees are permitted to do their duties outside of the usual office setting. Any location that is not a defined office where colleagues, clients, and stakeholders can communicate using electronic tools such as computers and cellphones is considered remote working.

In Africa, remote working is on the rise, with Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria leading the way. This means that people have more opportunities and can work many jobs at the same time. For young Africans, this has opened up a world of limitless possibilities. All of this is changing, as corporations have become more deliberate in their hiring of African talent. You should be excited about these advances if you live in Africa. Click here to see current job openings!

As an African or a resident in Africa, you can apply for international remote jobs without having to worry about migrating to your employer's country. Visa sponsorship and relocation charges were key variables to consider when employing people outside of the company's location before many organizations adopted remote work. All of these limitations have been lifted thanks to remote work. Companies can save money while people have greater chances. For all sides, it's a win-win situation.

How Are People Working Remotely?

Do people who work remotely all work from home? The answer is no, surprising, right? Working remotely is sometimes misunderstood as requiring you to work solely from your home. This decision to work exclusively from home should be based on personal preference. Here are some examples of how individuals operate remotely:

1. Remote worker

   The typical remote worker works from their own home or office. This could be their residence or a shared co-working facility. They are not required to physically attend work. Co-working refers to a situation in which employees from different companies share an office space. This is both convenient and cost-effective. Infrastructures such as printers, the internet, and equipment are shared.

2. Digital Nomad

   Digital nomads, like remote employees, are defined by their independence. A digital nomad's job allows them to work from anywhere in the globe while traveling. Digital nomadism is not the same as taking a vacation while working. It's a way of life. Digital nomads can usually be found working with laptops or phones in coffee shops, beaches, hotels, and co-working spaces. They primarily work in technology and work many jobs to keep a solid income.

3. Freelancer

   A freelancer is an independent contractor hired by a company for a specific amount of time. A freelancer is often compensated per assignment or hour spent on a task. In most cases, a freelancer is free to work for many clients at the same time. It's crucial to keep in mind that not all freelancers work from their homes. Some freelancers are hired to work at the company's physical location. Many freelancers, on the other hand, work from home or a place of their choosing. Whether a freelancer works from home or in an office is mostly determined by the terms of their contract and the services they provide.

4. Working from home

   As part of their benefits package, several organizations allow workers to work from home. Employees are required to work from home on certain days of the week and in the office on others. For example, to work efficiently, some customer service representatives, have work tools installed in their houses. Employees in this situation do not have the option of working from a location other than their homes.

What Remote Jobs That Are In Demand?

The myth that only people in tech land remote jobs is false. We know a majority of Africans are not tech (programming) savvy, so, here is a list of job roles that are in demand, and they include:

Categories	Possible Roles
Engineering	Full Stack Developer, Mobile Developer, Software Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer, Cloud Developer
Customer Support	Technical Support, Community Manager, Customer Support, Customer Success, Entry-level
Design	Creative Director, Entry-level, Graphics Designer, UI/UX, Web developer
Marketing	Content Writer, Copywriter, Digital Marketer, Email Marketing, Entry-level
Operations	Accounting, Business Analyst, Business Developer, Entry-level, Legal
Products	Product Developer, Product Designer, Product Manager
Sales	Account Manager, Entry-level, Operations Manager, Sales Manager, Sales Representative

These are some of the well paying titles/roles. There are many free resources available on the internet, and you only need to commit for 6-12 months to be considered for your first remote job. Internships and volunteer activities are excellent ways for an entry-level job to gain experience.

Benefits Of Remote Working

There are various advantages for employers who hire remote workers, in addition to the obvious cost savings. These advantages are available to workers as well.

• Companies may tap into a bigger talent pool by using freelancing services like Upwork, Fiverr, and Guru, which means they don't have to limit their search to a certain geographic area.
• Working from home allows you to live where you choose and work when it's convenient for you.
• Working from home improves productivity. Workers can focus on a task without being distracted.
• Many people benefit from remote work because they can work a full day or only three days based on their schedule and availability.
• Freelancers typically bring new perspectives that no other team member has, especially if they come from a different nation and culture. Merging of ideas and experience can aid in the improvement of workflows and processes.
• People who work remotely have the freedom to operate the way they want and accomplish exceptional results on their terms.

In Conclusion,

The majority of people and businesses in Africa have chosen to work remotely, and it is one of the most effective ways for businesses to cut expenses and increase productivity while working with highly qualified individuals.

Do you reside in any of the African countries? Do you want to get started on your remote work journey? Simply click here to get started on your search for the perfect remote job for you!