"Remote work was meant to change the story of leaving home to a city for opportunities. In theory, it promised a borderless economy where talent mattered more than location. And for some young Africans, that promise has become reality. Designers in some African cities now work for European startups. More developers in Africa are hired by companies in Europe and Americas. Writers are paid in dollars while living in cities where that income stretches further."
"But beneath these success stories lies a quieter truth. Remote work is not flattening inequality in Africa but it is rather reshaping it. Success is now determined by one's proximity to crucial infrastructure. A stable internet connection, and reliable electricity, are now the pivots to success in remote digital work. Most importantly, the knowledge of where these digital jobs exist and how to access them."
For many years, success in Africa was tied to geographical location, with urban centers offering most profitable opportunities while rural residents were encouraged to migrate. Remote work promised a borderless economy where talent mattered more than location, enabling some Africans to work for foreign startups and earn foreign currencies. However, remote work is reshaping inequality: success depends on proximity to critical infrastructure such as stable internet, reliable electricity, and knowledge of where digital jobs are posted. Urban students and tech hubs increasingly provide connectivity, workshops, and invitations to online job boards. Rural areas face high-cost, low-quality internet, frequent power outages, limited device access, and local low-wage job markets.
Read at Thred Website
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