The digital transformation accelerated by the Covid-19 crisis has forever disrupted the way we work around the world. Beyond the transformation of occupations and skills, new categories of experts emerged: digital nomads. Working remotely, often independently, they redefine work boundaries, representing the economic opportunities lacking in Africa.
Since 2020, the world of work has been undergoing a quiet yet deep revolution. In just a few years, digital nomads have gone from marginal phenomena to global dynamics, driven by the digitalisation of their occupations, the rise of remote areas and a desire for a more flexible life. This trend initially took hold in major western capitals, but now spreads across Africa, potentially winning financial turbulent, estimated at billions of dollars in the coming years. If the means are available.
Global phenomenon with local influence
Digital nomads are workers who can work from anywhere in the world thanks to their computers and internet connections. The Nairobi-based marketing freelancer is a Senegalian developer who has lived between Dakar and Bali for six months, or an American designer who lives in Zanzibar in the summer.
There are over 80 million digital Nomads worldwide, according to 2025 statistics collected by Nomads.com, the global digital Nomad community platform. This number is constantly rising. Their financial impact is not negligible. On average, digital nomads make $124,000 a year. They spend between $1,000 and $3,000 a month in their host country. Detention, food, leisure, coworking, transportation, etc. For the host country, this represents a direct source of income for the local economy without the traditional constraints of popular tourism. Americans represent the largest digital nomadic community, with 46 million people worldwide. Almost 88% of digital nomads around the world come from countries outside of Africa.
According to nomads.com, typical profiles for digital Nomads:
Africa, a new frontier
Long overlooked Africa is beginning to appear on global digital Nomad maps. Cape Town, Johannesburg, Marrakech, Accra, Dakar, Abuja, Luanda, Riblville and Kotonou are among the destinations of growing interest on the continent. These cities are captivating a new generation of remote workers looking for reliability, a more affordable cost of living, and powerful human connections. These cities offer stable broadband connectivity, electricity, workplace, accommodation and food, transportation and health services that meet appropriate standards. In short, a setting that encourages experience combining professional efficiency with tourist discovery.
This dynamic does not affect foreigners alone. The growth segment of African youth, especially in the digital sector (web development, design, community management, writing, etc.), is also often awakened to a travelling lifestyle within the continent. This nomadic within Africa is supported by destinations that offer full or partial visa exemptions, such as Senegal, Benin, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda. These incentives are redrawing the map of professional mobility in an age of digital transformation.
Capture billions of dollars
According to Newland Chase, a global immigration and visa service provider, 35 million digital nomads worldwide contributed to $787 billion in 2021. Without a detailed study of the economic outlook of digital nomads in Africa, estimates based on conservative assumptions of 500,000 foreign digital nomads in Africa suggest that each spends $1,000 per month suggest that the continent can generate $6 billion in economic benefits per year. By targeting just 2% of the number of digital nomads (approximately 80 million) of the number of digital nomads identified worldwide by Nomads.com in 2025, or about 1.6 million workers, Africa can win nearly $20 billion a year through direct spending by these experts. But beyond this immediate consumption, digital nomads represent growth drivers in many economic sectors, including short-term rental properties, restaurants and hotels, internet services, local transportation, and leisure economy (hiking and other sports and tourism activities). This possibility could benefit thousands of small local businesses, particularly in urban areas.
Rare but promising initiative
Some African countries are beginning to build offerings for nomadic people. In 2020, Mauritius launched a premium visa. The target is for citizens of 114 countries. The visa is free, valid for one year and renewable. To obtain it, applicants must prove that their main activities and/or sources of income are located outside the island so that they do not enter the local labor market. You must provide evidence of a monthly income of at least $1,500.
In the case of Cape Verde, who created digital technology and tourism levers for economic growth, the digital nomadic visa was launched in 2020. This works for six months when it can be regenerated. There is a fee. Digital nomads in Cape Verde are exempt from income taxes and all other local taxes. The state does not impose a minimum wage, but visa applicants must provide proof of their income. They must have an average bank balance of at least 1,500 euros for the six months prior to the visa application.
In 2024, South Africa adopted a digital nomadic visa. Holders may reside in the country for a period ranging from three months to three years. Applicants must provide evidence that they have earned a yearly gross salary of at least R650,796 ($36,782) in the form of a three-month bank statement.
Other countries such as Namibia and Kenya have also adopted digital nomadic visas in 2024 to attract international talent and boost the local economy. However, Africa is behind other regions such as Latin America and Southeast Asia, and understands the value of providing digital nomadic visas, technology hubs, tax-free and specialized services.
Challenges to be satisfied
Africa could exploit digital nomads. The continent boasts high broadband coverage rates. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 4G is 71% and 3G is 86%. 5G represents only 11% of the continent's network coverage. In urban areas, 4G coverage rates are 73% for 4G and 2% for 3G. 5G already covers 25% of urban areas in Africa. It can be used in capitals such as South Africa, Senegal, Mauritius, Nigeria, Botswana, Ethiopia, Seychelles, Tunisia and Lesotho. In rural areas, 4G coverage reaches 49%, but 26% for 3G and 14% for 2G. Large cities generally have reliable internet access, but this is not yet the case in many secondary regions.
The price of the most affordable mobile internet package on the market (2GB) represents 3.9% of monthly Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, compared to 13.4% of GNI for fixed internet (5GB). These prices are considered high as they exceed the 2% GNI threshold recommended by the UN Broadband Commission for sustainable development. Globally, the average price of the most affordable mobile internet packages on the market accounts for almost 1% of GNI, compared to almost 2.3% of GNI for fixed internet.
In addition to these challenges, there are issues of political stability and security. The risk of instability in certain regions discourages visitors, but these are continental minorities. The lack of clear status of nomadic workers also reduces the appeal of African destinations. Tourist visas are not suitable for long-term stays and do not offer the same incentives. This requires the integration of digital nomads into public policies on tourism, entrepreneurship and youth employment and adopt policies for this effect.
Digital nomads are more than just a predicament or protection of western elites. It is a major change in global work where Africa can play a leading role, and it is conditioned on forecasting, investment and innovation.
Source: Agence Ecofin
