Remote Work 2.0: Can Kenya Become Africa's Digital Hub?

Kenya ranked first globally for AI usage in 2026, with 97.5% of internet users surveyed saying they used at least one AI tool in the previous month. Through programmes like Jitume and Ajira Digital, the government says it created over 300,000 digital jobs in 2025. I’ve been covering Kenya’s remote work scene since before the pandemic, and I believe the question isn’t whether we can become Africa’s digital services hub — it’s whether we’ll actually do the work to get there.

From remote work to global work

Before the pandemic, remote working was uncommon in Kenya. Most employers I spoke to wanted bodies in seats. Movement restrictions changed that almost overnight. Companies adopted video conferencing and cloud platforms out of necessity. Now AI is taking it further, and this is where I see the real shift.

A freelancer in Kenya can deliver services to a client in London, New York or Dubai without ever sharing an office. I’ve seen this firsthand through the workers we track at Remote Jobs Online Kenya. The prize is not just remote employment — it is the export of digital services and knowledge. That’s the opportunity most commentators miss.

The workforce emerging

The Jitume and Ajira programmes trained more than 1.8 million young people in digital skills. The Ajira Digital platform lists over 651,000 members. Kenya’s BPO sector created 19,650 jobs in 2025, exceeding its target of 10,000. The International Labour Organization says Kenya’s digital labour platforms support web development, graphic design, content creation, marketing and data labelling.

Those numbers look impressive on paper. But here’s what I’ve noticed: training volume doesn’t equal job quality. I’ve talked to graduates of these programmes who still can’t find paying work because the training was too basic or too disconnected from what international clients actually need.

What workers actually earn

James Oyange, a data protection officer in Nairobi, worked as a freelancer for global platforms like Appen. He started with data input before moving to transcription and translation for AI systems. Appen paid him $16 a day, or $2 per hour. “It was tedious, especially when you look at the pay,” he told Business Insider Africa.

I’ve heard versions of this story dozens of times. Kenyan workers are competing globally, but too many of us are stuck in low-value tasks that pay poverty wages. If we’re serious about becoming a digital hub, we need to move up the value chain — not just celebrate the number of people trained.

The infrastructure challenge

Airtel Africa’s Nxtra is building a 44MW data centre at Tatu City, expected to commission in early 2027. Microsoft and G42 announced a USD1 billion investment in 2024 for a geothermal-powered data centre at Olkaria and an East Africa cloud region. President William Ruto said the proposed facility could require about 1GW of power, raising questions about Kenya’s electricity capacity.

I’m cautiously optimistic about these investments. But I’ve also learned to watch what gets built, not just what gets announced. Kenya has a history of big tech announcements that move slowly or stall entirely. The electricity question is real — I’ve spoken to developers in Nairobi who deal with unreliable power regularly.

The Nairobi problem

An ILO survey found 44% of online freelance workers lived in Nairobi, compared with 10% in Nakuru, 7% in Kisumu and 6% each in Mombasa and Eldoret. About 60% had migrated from elsewhere in Kenya.

The concentration in Nairobi makes sense — that’s where the jobs, the networks, and the infrastructure are. But it also means the rest of the country is being left behind. I’ve met talented developers in Kisumu and Mombasa who can’t compete because they don’t have reliable internet or access to the professional networks that lead to better clients.

Secondary cities could develop specialised digital-service clusters. But that requires intentional investment, not just hoping the market will figure it out.

The competition

South Africa, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Rwanda are also seeking BPO investment and digital workers. Kenya’s advantage depends on combining its technology ecosystem, connectivity, English-speaking workforce and AI adoption with skills and costs attractive enough for international clients.

I don’t think Kenya has this locked up. Rwanda is moving fast. Nigeria has scale. Our advantage is real but not permanent. The ILO has warned that digital workers face challenges around social protection and labour rights — something I see ignored in the rush to celebrate job creation numbers.

My view

Kenya’s first digital-economy push was about connectivity. The next phase is about productivity and exports. Remote Work 2.0 could allow Kenya to move beyond consuming digital technology to selling expertise to the world.

That depends on whether we can produce enough high-skilled workers, expand infrastructure beyond Nairobi, and ensure AI makes our workforce more competitive rather than making entry-level jobs obsolete. I’ve seen enough to know it’s possible. I’ve also seen enough to know it’s not guaranteed.