Digital nomads are people who are location independent and use technology to perform their job. Even though digital nomad lifestyle is quite appealing to many, figuring out what city or destination to travel to is the difficult part for most digital nomads.
What makes a great digital nomad destination? Everyone has their own unique criteria, but some common ones are: low cost of living, fast and reliable internet connectivity, co-working spaces and a nomad community, agreeable weather, good and affordable food, fun nightlife, and interesting culture.
In this post, we will review the best destinations for digital nomads in Africa based on the things digital nomads consider very important which includes quality of internet connectivity, cost of living, weather, and the unique attractions and diverse city culture available.
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Who is a Digital Nomad?
A Digital Nomad is somebody who works online and therefore needn’t tie themselves to one particular office, city, or even country. They can work from anywhere in the world, provided they have a laptop and solid internet connection and can move around whenever the feeling takes them.
Digital nomads tend to be young people and can be found working in most industries in the knowledge economy: marketing, design, IT, writing, media, tutoring and consulting, among others. They may either be remote employees or knowledge process outsourcing employees.
Why should Digital Nomads explore Africa?
Imagine all the beautiful places you can travel to and work simultaneously in the world. Africa remains one of the most attractive places to visit not only because of the aura of its people and nature but also for the rising tech world within this least-explored realm.
In the last decade, Africa is fast becoming the home for digital disruptions in technology across the globe. Some of the finest startups erupt from major African cities such as Kigali, Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and Accra.
Aside from the major criteria for digital nomads to choose a city to live in, there are many reasons why Africa is a great destination to explore.
- Fast-growing startup community.
- Unexplored business opportunities.
- Lower cost of living for individuals and families.
- Varieties of outdoor activities, beautiful weather, and nature.
- Fun with rich culture and varieties of food to choose from.
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Top Digital Nomads Cities In Africa.
1. Port Louis – Mauritius.
Port Louis is Mauritius’s capital and economic center point in the Indian Ocean. It is the largest city on the island with approximately 200,000 inhabitants. Today, Mauritius is not only home to some successful African startups but is also getting more and more attention as a great spot for location-independent professionals.
Mauritius can easily compete with global digital nomad hotspots such as Bali or Malta. It has everything location-independent professionals need, such as reliable internet access, a reasonable cost of living (approx. $1939 per month), and a mild tropical climate throughout the year. Check out CoWorking Port Louis & TheGround for more information about coworking in Port Louis.
2. Taghazout – Morocco.
A great number of digital nomads visiting Africa have rated Taghazout as one of the best destinations to work from in Africa. Taghazout is a fishing village on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, north of the city of Agadir. In the town of Taghazout, there are several restaurants to try out wholesome Moroccan dishes.
Taghazout has a cute co-working space called Sundesk, where the waves of the sea combined with yoga, sun, surf, and high–speed wi-fi will give you a perfect spot to settle and relax as a digital nomad. The average cost of living in Cape Town ranges between $1100 – $1250 a month.
3. Cape Town – South Africa.
Cape Town is a beautiful nomad-friendly city with a lot to offer in terms of scenery, culture, and lifestyle, as well as providing great access to all the “must-see” experiences of Southern Africa. Cape Town is fairly well covered by mobile signal, and all the operators are fighting hard for the “fastest 4G” crown at the moment.
You can get almost anything you need in Cape Town. For general lifestyle purchases, South Africa is a pretty affordable place. Most accommodations and coffee shops have good free wifi in metro areas. The average cost of living in Cape Town ranges between $1800 – $2200 a month. Cape Town also features some of the best coworking spaces for entrepreneurs to work from.
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4. Marrakesh – Morocco.
These days, Moroccan cities like Marrakesh and Taghazout seem to be taking inspiration from global startup ecosystems like Silicon Valley and harnessing their own creative and entrepreneurial cultures to put Morocco on the map as a destination for digital nomads and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Marrakesh is home to dozens of coworking spaces serving up a wave of startups and young entrepreneurs. The average cost of living in Marrakesh is between $1500 and $1800 a month, with beautiful AirBnB accommodation listings for rental purposes. Morroco has one of the best internet connectivity in Africa.
5. Kampala – Uganda.
Kampala is one of our top destinations for digital nomads in Africa. Near the banks of Lake Victoria, Kampala, the capital of Uganda. The weather is perfect, lots of interesting people, lots of opportunities for business, and visas are pretty easy to get. It sprawls across numerous hills, ridges, and valleys and has a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene.
Kampala today is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in Africa. The average cost of living in Kampala is within the range of $950 – $1200 a month. When it comes to finding co-working places to work, Tribe Kampala & Design Hub Kampala remain the top choices for digital nomads in the city.
6. Tunis – Tunisia.
Tunis is the sprawling capital of Tunisia, a country in North Africa. It sits along Lake Tunis, just inland from the Mediterranean Sea’s Gulf of Tunis. It’s home to a centuries-old medina and the Bardo, an archaeology museum where celebrated Roman mosaics are displayed in a 15th-century palace complex.
Tunis is a beautiful and fun place to be as a digital nomad, with many things to do and attractions to visit. The average cost of living in Kampala is within the range of $1000 – $1200 a month. When it comes to finding co-working places to work, Tunis features some of the best coworking spaces for entrepreneurs to work from.
7. Dakar – Senegal.
Dakar is a diverse city full of vibrant arts and traditions. There are so many beaches to chill at and forget your worries for a minute. In addition to the beaches, Dakar is a city full of bright colors and modern restaurants. It is also home to the world’s tallest statue, the African Renaissance Monument.
After Lagos and Accra, Dakar is one of the fastest growing tech-hubs in West-Africa. The average cost of living in Dakar is within the range $1500 – $1750 a month. When it comes to finding co-working places to work, CoWorking Cafe & JokkoLabs Dakar remain the top choices for digital nomads in the city.
8. Nairobi – Kenya.
Digital nomadism is taking Nairobi by storm. Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya. Kenya is a wonderful East African country with warm and lovely people. The weather is fantastic (mostly calm and warm) and you’ll love the respectful, beautiful Kenyan ladies and of course the strong handsome men.
Nairobi is a modern city where you can easily get almost anything you need. For general lifestyle purchases, Nairobi, Kenya is a pretty affordable place to be. Most accommodation and coffee shops have good free wifi in metro areas. The average cost of living in Nairobi ranges between $1300 – $1500 a month. Nairobi also features some of the best coworking spaces for entrepreneurs to work from.
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9. Lagos – Nigeria.
Lagos is Africa’s biggest mega city by population, and it has the epic traffic jams to prove it. Seriously though, the city’s cosmopolitan nature and its equally thriving startup scene have made this a digital nomad’s daydream. There are coworking spaces, entrepreneurs, freelancers, broadband internet and tech hubs.
When it comes to relaxation and adventure, you’d be spoiled for choice as the friendly locals, beach resorts, international cuisine, museums, and conservation center will keep you busy and happy whenever you’re not thinking about work. The average cost of living in Nairobi ranges between $1500 – $1800 a month.
10. Accra – Ghana.
Accra is the capital, administrative, economic, and educational center of Ghana. The city contains the head offices of all of the large banks and trading firms, the insurance agencies, the electricity corporation, the general post office, the large open markets to which most of the food supply comes, and the Accra Central Library.
Accra today is one of the fastest growing tech-hubs in West Africa. For a digital nomad, the average cost of living in Accra is within the range $2500 – $3000 a month. When it comes to finding co-working places in Accra to work, ImpactHub Accra & iSpace Ghana remain the top choices for digital nomads in the city.
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