In 2014, British digital nomad Ben Jones landed in Ghana after a chance meeting at a Bitcoin event in Berlin. He had been invited to join the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) in Accra – a programme that trains young Africans to become tech entrepreneurs. At that time, incubators like MEST were still few, and Africa’s tech space was just starting to catch global attention.
But things have changed. Over the last ten years, Africa’s digital economy has exploded. Urbanisation, mobile phones, and a bold generation of tech-savvy youth have turned the continent into a hotbed for innovation. Startups are now solving deep-rooted problems—like giving financial access to the unbanked and creating mobile-first solutions for health, education and agriculture.
Jones, who once bounced from one tech event to another, has now become a regular across Africa’s tech hubs. He says the energy in Africa is different. “In the UK, startups are doing pharmacy delivery apps. But in Africa, you’re solving real, hard problems that affect millions.”
As remote work becomes the norm, many global professionals are now following in Jones’ footsteps. With countries like Kenya, Namibia and Cape Verde launching digital nomad visas, Africa is not just attracting investors, but remote workers too.
Statista reports that over 40 million people worldwide now identify as digital nomads, with 18.1 million from the US alone. Many earn decent salaries—over a third make between $50,000 and $100,000 a year, while 35% earn between $100,000 and $250,000. Even 2% of them pull in over $1 million annually.
This rising community of remote workers is reshaping local economies. They tend to spend more than tourists—on housing, food, and experiences. However, in some places, their presence has started pushing up rents and squeezing locals out of the housing market. Cape Town, for example, now has over 23,500 Airbnb listings, more than even Berlin or Barcelona. Many landlords are choosing short-term rentals over long-term leases because of better profits.
To manage the boom, South Africa introduced a digital nomad visa in 2024 with a $53,000 income requirement. City officials argue that nomads mostly rent high-end homes, but locals in areas like Sea Point and Green Point say it’s becoming harder to find affordable housing.
Despite these tensions, Africa’s digital nomad scene continues to grow. Co-working companies like Workstyle Africa are expanding fast. In Kenya, Alejandra Wolf and her team launched AfricaNomads, creating co-living spaces for remote workers. Their first sites were in Lamu and Watamu. Now they’re expanding to Nairobi, a city with strong internet, culture, and the world’s only urban national park.
“AfricaNomads isn’t just about renting rooms,” says Wolf. “It’s about community. We offer space, structure, and support to help nomads thrive here.”
Rwanda is another rising star. Kigali is investing heavily in fibre internet and smart city plans, trying to position itself as East Africa’s digital capital.
Namibia, too, is carving out its space. In 2022, it launched a six-month digital nomad visa. According to Margereth Gustavo of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), the country was inspired by the European energy crisis. “We realised we could attract people with stable electricity, sunshine, and peace of mind.”
So far, 33 people have been approved under the visa. While the number may seem small, the interest is growing. Gustavo says Namibia’s real value is its space—both physical and mental. Remote workers often base in Windhoek, then explore coastal towns like Swakopmund or the desert.
Other countries have joined the race too. Mauritius offers a one-year premium visa. Seychelles has a flexible Workcation Program. Kenya’s new visa requires $55,000 in annual income, hoping to attract top earners.
But challenges remain. Power supply in some regions is unreliable. Outside major cities, internet can be patchy. Many nomads rely on Starlink and local SIMs to stay connected. Payment systems are also fragmented, making it hard to move money easily.
Still, progress is happening. More cities are laying fibre networks, while local fintech startups are working on cross-border payment solutions.
Ben Jones, now a seasoned digital entrepreneur, says Africa is one of the best places to build. He’s co-founded a Bitcoin bank, helped startups raise over $50 million, and now advises tech companies globally.
“People think Africa is too hard. But the ones who come, stay. They build businesses, spend money, and become part of the community,” he says.
The world may be your office, but more digital nomads are choosing Africa as their base—not just for the lifestyle, but for the chance to create something meaningful.
