African Nations Capitalizing on 2020's Digital Nomad Surge: An Insight Into Five Countries' Strategies
African nations are capitalising on the growing trend of digital nomadism by introducing tailored visas designed to attract remote workers and stimulate their economies. These visas offer longer stays than tourist visas, tax exemptions in some cases, and streamlined application processes, making it easier for digital nomads to work from Africa's unique landscapes, connectivity, and cost advantages.
Key African Countries Offering Digital Nomad Visas
Several African countries have jumped on the bandwagon, each offering unique benefits to remote workers.
Kenya
Kenya launched the Class N visa in May 2025, allowing remote workers to stay for 1 to 2 years with an annual income requirement of about USD 55,000. The East African country boasts excellent internet infrastructure, co-working spaces, and diverse environments—from beaches to savannahs—making it a favored destination for digital nomads seeking both nature and urban amenities.
Mauritius
Mauritius offers its Premium Visa program, enabling digital nomads to stay initially for one year, renewable for another year. This visa has no fees, requires proof of a minimum monthly income of USD 1,500 for individuals, and allows a straightforward online application process with swift approval times. While this visa does not lead directly to permanent residency or citizenship, it positions Mauritius as an accessible island destination with a simple pathway for remote workers.
Namibia
Since October 2022, Namibia offers a digital nomad visa valid for 6 months with a possible 6-month extension, requiring a monthly income of USD 2,000 for individuals. It has comparatively low visa fees and online application options, targeting remote workers who seek scenic landscapes and less crowded environments.
Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde offers a remote work visa suitable for those attracted to year-round sunny beach climates. Applicants must provide proof of sufficient funds (approx. USD 1,585 for solo travelers), health insurance, and accommodation. The visa is applied for online with a moderate fee (~USD 60).
Morocco
While Morocco does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa, it allows remote workers a 90-day stay with potential extensions through re-entry. This limits longer-term stays but leverages Morocco’s historic and scenic appeal alongside urban connectivity in cities like Marrakech and Tangier.
Incentives and Requirements
These visas commonly require proof of minimum monthly or annual income, valid health insurance, and accommodation details. The incentives include longer stays than traditional tourist visas, tax exemptions in some cases, and facilitation of online applications to streamline the process.
Strategic Push Across Africa
African nations are tailoring digital nomad visas to enhance tourism revenues and local business opportunities, utilise improving digital infrastructure, capitalise on their natural beauty and unique cultural offerings, and offer competitive income requirements relative to Western countries, making them accessible destinations for remote workers.
These adaptations represent a strategic push across Africa to integrate with the global remote work economy, boost foreign exchange inflow, and diversify local economies beyond traditional sectors.
The Future of Digital Nomadism in Africa
As of 2022, South Africa is home to 557,311 digital nomads and remote workers, according to data from Nomads.com. By mid-2020, the number of digital nomads more than doubled to 10.9 million. Africa is exploring regional mobility, offering visa-free entries to make it easier for Africans to work remotely and build businesses across borders.
Governments began to respond to the rise in digital nomadism by introducing specific visa categories in 2020. The digital nomad visa may bring billions of dollars annually in additional income for African countries if one digital nomad injects between $2,000-$3,000 per month into a local economy, and capturing just 1% of the global population of digital nomads (between 40 million and 100 million).
As the world continues to adapt to remote work, Africa is positioning itself as a competitive destination for digital nomads, offering unique experiences, competitive costs, and a warm welcome.
- While Kenya and other African countries have introduced tailored digital nomad visas to attract remote workers, Morocco, though without a dedicated visa, allows remote workers a 90-day stay with potential extensions, leveraging its historic and scenic appeal alongside urban connectivity.
- The Premium Visa program in Mauritius, designed for digital nomads, offers an initial one-year stay, renewable for another year, with no fees and a simple online application process, making it an accessible destination for remote workers.
- Technology-driven lifestyles continue to evolve, and entrepreneurship thrives in Africa's digital nomad scene, as nations such as Cabo Verde and Namibia offer unique landscapes and low visa fees, positioning themselves as competitive destinations for those seeking less crowded environments while investing in the local economy.
