Unlike the traditional 9-5 arrangement where you are expected to be in the office daily, online freelancing allows you to pick your clients and the mode of service delivery.
By Michael Akuchie
Before graduation from her undergraduate studies in the university, Joy Okafor had mapped out a career as a banker. Following the completion of her mandatory one-year youth service to Nigeria, she envisioned herself vying for the much coveted graduate trainee position with hundreds of applicants. Then one day in school, she stumbled on an advert on a friend’s WhatsApp status page seeking graphic designers on her WhatsApp status.
Although graphic design was primarily a side gig she took on to help cover the cost of course materials and other minor expenses, she decided to give the advert a try. It turned out to be an outsourcing job where she provided her design services to a Nigerian who had been contracted by a foreign client.
After receiving fifty thousand Naira for a task that many of her Nigerian clients would have paid between five and fifteen thousand Naira for, Okafor became curious and embarked on weeks of research into freelance work. Armed with newfound knowledge about the potential of online freelancing, she decided to take some courses to further upskill. Today, she does not work in a bank as she had originally intended.

Instead, she now has an account on Upwork, one of the leading online freelancing platforms, and has expanded her services from graphic design to product design, thereby attracting a broader range of clients. Like many Africans today, Okafor has embraced freelancing, which offers greater flexibility, higher income, and other benefits.
Although freelancing is a hot topic today, its origins can be traced to the Middle Ages, a period when soldiers offered to fight for whichever king could pay them. These soldiers were considered mercenaries—professional fighters hired to perform tasks but not part of any country’s official military. Flexibility is one of the key selling points of online freelancing.
Unlike the traditional 9-5 arrangement where you are expected to be in the office daily, online freelancing allows you to pick your clients and the mode of service delivery. Instead of an office, you can opt to work at home, the coffee shop, or a workspace that is shared with other people.
According to Upwork, freelancing guarantees people the ability to set their work hours. Unlike office jobs whose work hours typically start in the morning, you can choose to work solely at night or in the afternoon. You can also take a day off from work because you don’t feel like working that day. Such decisions rarely occur in a traditional work setting unless it’s a medical and family emergency, or you are due for an annual leave.
Unless you work with an online freelancing agency—a business model where a team of members reports to a boss who manages the company’s clients—you are your own boss. As mentioned, you can choose your working hours, take days off, and manage your tasks as you see fit. This means some weeks could be hectic, while others could be light, depending on your scheduling style.
With platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, and PeoplePerHour, you get to work with clients within the continent and beyond. This helps you to build meaningful relationships with people across the world. Depending on how pleased they are with your work, they may leave stellar reviews on your profile which adds more credibility to your brand and makes it easier for more clients to hire you.

Another reason why Africans are gravitating towards freelance work is the payment in foreign currency. The growing appeal of foreign currency among Africans is driven by high inflation rates, which have led to a significant increase in the cost of food and other essential items.
In a report sponsored by the African Development Bank titled “African Economic Outlook”, Sudan (157.6%), Egypt (35.8%), Sierra Leone (33.6%), Nigeria (31.6%), and Malawi (27.3%) make up the top five list of countries experiencing the highest inflation rates in Africa so far this year. Beyond rising food costs, inflation also shrinks the local currency’s value which makes it extra difficult for citizens to afford essential items. Since freelance work is paid in stable currencies such as Dollars, Pounds, and Euros, it’s easy to see why more Africans are turning to this trade.
Although African freelancers are enjoying significant rewards, there are some drawbacks worth mentioning. While earning in a currency with greater value than the local one is advantageous, online freelancing is not always a steady job. There are times when finding clients can be challenging. Sometimes it could be a location-based issue. Freelancers from countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and other African countries could find it difficult to land foreign clients because of a lack of trust. Another reason could be the timezone barrier. Not many clients are comfortable with working with freelancers who live in different locations due to the time differences which could be as small as two hours to as great as several hours.
A smart strategy for managing these dry spells is to build a savings fund that ensures you have cash available regardless of the circumstances.
Additionally, many clients view freelancers as contractors, which means they are ineligible for benefits such as pensions, health insurance, and retirement savings. To address this, it is wise to budget your income carefully and set aside funds in a separate account for medical emergencies and other unforeseen events.
Finding clients can also be frustrating, especially when you are new to the community. On Upwork or Fiverr for instance, freelancers with five-star client reviews are far more convincing than those with new profiles. Although a couple of clients will take a chance on a new member, it is often difficult to attract clients without some evidence of some work done. A great way to bypass this hurdle is to consider taking low-paying gigs until you build enough influence (read as client reviews) to attract high-paying gigs.

Unlike regions such as Europe and North America, many parts of Africa lack reliable internet connectivity. This presents a serious challenge for freelancers who rely on the internet to access online platforms, communicate with clients, research new projects, and more.
Although the 5G network has been rolled out in a handful of African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, it will take some time for the continent to truly experience the high download speeds, reduced latency and other benefits it offers.
Online freelancing provides Africans with a pathway to financial stability. By earning in foreign currencies instead of local ones, freelancers can enhance their purchasing power. Additionally, the flexibility to choose their working hours allows them to better balance work and personal life. While freelance work is not without its challenges—such as the lack of health benefits and income fluctuations—a well-managed savings fund can help freelancers navigate these obstacles effectively.
Michael Akuchie is a tech journalist with four years of experience covering cybersecurity, AI, automotive trends, and startups. He reads human-angle stories in his spare time. He’s on X (fka Twitter) as @Michael_Akuchie & michael_akuchie on Instagram.
Cover photo credit: Tech Farabi