What is the state of remote work in Africa and what companies are hiring African talent?
Why is hiring from Africa attractive?
What are the unique dynamics, challenges, and contribution of African talent to the companies hiring them?
We learnt a lot more than we planned to find and we put them all in this report, as a crucial resource for businesses looking to hire African talent.
Why Africa is the
Next Big Talent Market?
Time-zone sweet spot: Overlaps with Europe and partial alignment with North America.
Cost efficiency without compromise: Salaries up to 70% lower than Western markets while maintaining high quality.
“93% of employers plan to increase hiring in Africa.”
What does remote talent in Africa look like?
Key industries hiring remote talent are:
IT & Software Development
Financial services & Fintech
Education & Online Learning
Creative & Digital Marketing
The most in-demand skills are:
Software Development
Data Science & AI
UI/UX Design
Product Management
The Employer Perspective
Top Countries hiring African Talent
The companies hiring African talent aren’t just from one corner of the world. They’re everywhere, with the US (57%), UK (24%), and Germany (9.3%) leading the charge.
United States
(57%)
United Kingdom
(24%)
Germany
(9.3%)
Netherlands
(3.1%)
Canada
(2.6%)
Australia
(2.3%)
France
(1.7%)
Why Are They Hiring in Africa?
62%
Cost Efficiency
59%
Access to Skilled Professionals
47%
Local Operational
Support
...and they are not slowing down.
Future Hiring Plans
Half of them plan to significantly increase hiring, and another 43% will increase somewhat. Only 7% are staying the same—and zero plan to hire less.
50% - Increase Hiring Somewhat
42.9% - Increase Hiring Significantly
7.1% - Maintain Current Hiring Levels
One founder told us:
“The challenge isn’t finding skilled people—it’s just navigating logistics. Talent quality is exceptional.”
The Employee Perspective
For African professionals, remote work has provided more access to global opportunities and they are investing in the skills and tools to maximise this access.
Salary Ranges:
$3,000
$7,000
to
Senior Roles (7-15 years)
$1,000
$2,000
to
Intermediate Roles
(3-6 years)
$500
$1,000
to
Junior Roles (0-3 years)
Top Motivations for Remote Work:
Higher salary
Flexibility
Career Growth
Inside the FORWA Report
What you’ve read so far is just a glimpse. The FORWA Report goes deeper, with the full story, detailed data, and practical steps to inform your decisions about hiring from Africa.