Digital nomads travel the world, mostly working remotely at the same time. While Asia and South America offer many more affordable destinations for them, Africa is also an interesting destination with many different cities and regions available. Let’s see which cities in Africa are good for digital nomads, according to OfficeNeedle.
- Lagos, Nigeria
Remote working is not unknown in Lagos, Nigeria. For this reason, it also appeals to digital nomads. They love places where they can simultaneously explore, work remotely, learn about the local culture and the local people, and more.
And Lagos really is the perfect escape for those who are remote workers/digital nomads and want to experience something new that they have not had a chance to see and do before. Let’s dig into some data to see what Lagos has to offer to digital nomads.
The average living cost and where digital nomads can work
Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria and according to digital nomads’ experiences, friendly people are easily encountered on the streets and in coworking spaces. Sitting on the country’s coast, Lagos looks out onto the Gulf of Guinea. It is known for beach resorts, a perfect spot for a tired digital nomad to recharge the batteries and enjoy their remote working experience.
One of the main attractions and benefits of being a digital nomad in Lagos is that the living costs are low. According to the latest data, digital nomads will need around 1,200 dollars to be able to live in Lagos for a month. The average internet speed is 6 Mbps. Another interesting factor is the climate, with hot weather temperatures.
While it might be hard to find free Internet spots all over the city, it is still possible to get work done in coworking spaces. As a matter of fact, digital nomads who have been to Lagos report that coworking spaces are great places to work through telecommunication, meet new people, and even new business partners.
The language barrier and more
Digital nomads know that it can be hard to properly meet other people and their cultures if they cannot understand the local language and the locals can’t speak at least some English. Well, in Lagos, the locals will know at least some English, making it easier for digital nomads to live and work there. Lagos is also relatively walkable so digital nomads do not have to worry about transport too much.
- Nairobi, Kenya
Located in East Africa, Nairobi is a city recognized as the tech and economic hub of that part of the continent. This makes it a great place for digital nomads to visit and work from. The capital of Kenya promises digital nomads they will be able to find other people like them. From other digital nomads and remote workers to expats, and so on.
The factors that make digital nomads go ‘wow’
With the Nairobi National Park alongside the city, digital nomads can enjoy some sights like nowhere else on Earth. For example, they can watch lions, giraffes, and zebras in their natural habitat. Likewise, they can also witness the place where endangered black rhinos are bred.
According to the latest calculations by digital nomads, the average monthly cost for Nairobi is around 1,200 dollars. This is rather affordable for most digital nomads, especially those who want to stay for longer, work remotely, experience safari, etc.
Internet and locals
The average internet is not bad either, at 10 Mbps. The climate is warm to hot throughout the year, which will be pleasant to almost anyone. Digital nomads also report that Nairobi is great for walking and that coworking spaces are numerous and great for getting the job done through telecommuting.
For getting work done on the go, the internet in public spaces is also okay. Swahili and English are local languages in Kenya, so English-speaking digital nomads should not have any bigger problems communicating with locals.
- Cape Town, South Africa
The most famous port city in South Africa, Cape Town, is located on the southwest coast of the country. Based on the experiences of many digital nomads, Cape Town is one of the greatest cities in Africa for digital nomad souls.
The oldest town of South Africa promises a lot of unforgettable experiences to digital nomads. The locals are greatly proficient in English and there are enough cafes, restaurants, and coworking offices for telecommuting. Plus, the internet connection is alright.
Why do digital nomads choose Cape Town?
The population of this city is less than half a million and the climate is always nice and enjoyable throughout the year. On the plus side, the locals are also usually friendly to foreigners and always ready to help.
Although higher than other African cities for digital nomads, Cape Town is still affordable at under 2,000 dollars per month. However, this price mostly appeals to more experienced digital nomads who can afford this kind of lifestyle, as Cape Town offers a balanced high-quality life.
As English-speaking is graded as great, as well as the numerous coworking spaces, digital nomads do not have to worry about sacrificing their business when in South Africa. On the other hand, they can also enjoy multiple other activities in their free time, such as surfing.
Conclusion
Africa offers a wide variety of places to digital nomads for work, entertainment, and relaxing. While it is not as popular as some other world destinations, it is still recognized among digital nomads who like to explore a different vibe, go on safaris, enjoy the wilderness, and more, all while being able to keep their business alive via telecommuting.
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