Remote work in Africa sounds like a dream until you face the realities. From unreliable internet to light issues, working from home isn’t as smooth as the Wi-Fi promises. But, as Africans, we’ve learned to laugh through the struggles and still find ways to make it work. Oh, my dear continent.
It’s 2025, yet we’re still battling weak signals and constant buffering. That Zoom meeting you’re late for? It’s never your fault… well, maybe except for the time you spent staring at a spinning wheel. But hey, it’s all part of the experience!
The best thing to do here is to optimize your internet usage: reduce video quality during virtual meetings, close unnecessary apps, and rely on file-sharing tools that don’t eat up bandwidth. And if all else fails, invest in backup data. Because let’s be honest, when the Wi-Fi drops, you’re just praying that the mobile data kicks in before your boss sends that “Can you hear me?” message for the 10th time.
Then, there’s the never-ending issue of power cuts. One minute you’re deep into work, and the next, you’re sitting in darkness wondering how long it’ll take to charge your phone again. Power outages are an African rhythm we know too well. If your electricity isn’t “shed,” it’s only because the grid forgot to send you an invitation to the party.
To survive this, you need to keep your devices charged and invest in a portable generator or solar-powered backups. Working at night? Just ensure you’ve stocked up on all the essentials like a power bank, laptop, and a prayer.
But wait, there’s more! As if the tech struggles weren’t enough, we’re also in a constant battle with time zones. Your 9 AM is their 3 AM, and suddenly, you’re juggling work with sleep deprivation. The trick here is to lean into asynchronous communication.
While it’s a bit annoying that you’re waking up at 4 AM to take a call, you can manage meetings with clever use of scheduling tools like Google Calendar and good old-fashioned boundary-setting.
And then, there’s the matter of accessing the tools we need to thrive. The tech world demands the latest gadgets, but when your budget doesn’t quite match up, it feels like a cruel joke. Still, Africans are resourceful, and we know how to make do. With open-source tools, affordable tech from local markets, and cloud-based services, we get the job done, even when our equipment is less “top-tier” and more “let’s make this work.”
Remote work can also feel isolating. No more hallway conversations or water cooler banter. Just you, your screen, and sometimes the sound of your own voice echoing back at you. But don’t fret. Virtual communities, LinkedIn groups, co-working spaces, and online webinars bring opportunities for networking and collaboration. It’s not the same as in-person, but with a little creativity, the connection is just as strong.
Lastly, the issue of payments. Sometimes it feels like your money is playing a game of hide-and-seek with you. PayPal doesn’t work here, and when it does, it’s a mystery. We’ve all had our fair share of chasing payments, but platforms like Payoneer and Flutterwave are helping to make international payments easier. And if you’re lucky, some clients will even accommodate local bank transfers.
In the end, remote work in Africa is a rollercoaster. It’s filled with bumps, delays, and power outages, but we know how to keep going. With a little creativity, resilience, and humour, we make it work.
So, when the Wi-Fi drops or the power goes out, just remember: This is Africa, and we’ve got this. Na we dey here (pidgin)!