Kenya's Online Gig Economy Booms with 5% of Workers Online, $188 Average Monthly Earnings
A recent government survey reveals that 5% of Kenyans are online workers, with an average monthly earning of $188. This growing trend has caught the attention of international organisations, with Mozilla awarding a grant to a local fintech startup, Payd, to develop a global entry payment platform for freelancers and creatives.
Kenya's online gig economy is booming, with a staggering 216% growth in online freelancers over the past five years. This surge places Kenya at the forefront of Africa's online gig economy, ahead of South Africa and Nigeria, which have seen more modest growth of 9% and 130% respectively. Despite its impressive growth, Kenya's share of the global freelance market stands at 0.37%, trailing behind the U.S. which leads the global economy despite an 8% decline in remote freelancing over the past five years.
The reasons for Kenyans turning to online work are varied. A significant 31% do so due to the lack of formal employment, while 21% are drawn to the convenience and flexibility it offers. Meanwhile, Payd, a Kenyan fintech startup, has been recognised for its efforts to support this growing sector, winning a Mozilla Innovation Grant to develop a payment platform tailored to the needs of freelancers and creatives.
Kenya's online gig economy is thriving, with a significant portion of its population turning to online work for various reasons. While the global market share remains modest, Kenya's growth in this sector outpaces many other countries. Initiatives like Payd's payment platform are fostering this growth, indicating a promising future for Kenya's online freelancers.
