Recently, the Africa Travel Week Trends report was released. It revealed several tourism drivers for the industry. Themed tourism has been on the rise, especially in South Africa where Netflix and YouTube series have helped to market their safaris. People are willing to travel more for leisure.
However, the section that stuck was a piece on how Africa is becoming the next big thing for digital nomads. How true is this?
According to Andrae Smith (a digital nomad coach), countries that create enabling environments for digital nomads rank higher on the bucket lists of nomadic workers. Some African countries are working on new approaches to attract and welcome digital nomads with open arms.
What countries in Africa currently embrace digital nomads?
Currently, Namibia is leading the way, having recently introduced its Digital Nomad Visa. This visa allows digital nomads to remain in Namibia for six months, with the freedom to renew their visa for a further six months. This way, the wide-open spaces that the country is known for will be well-utilised.
Interestingly, The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) managed to get approval from the Department of Home Affairs in just two weeks, by dealing with them directly. This emphasises the need for the removal of bureaucratic red tape by government parastatals in order to get things done quicker.
Mauritius is another good example of a country that is trying to attract international events to its shores. The events bring digital nomads, with some ending up staying much longer than intended.
To encourage this business, the Economic Development Board Mauritius has introduced a Refund Scheme for the MICE industry. Under this scheme, event organisers can apply for a refund of the value-added tax (VAT) on accommodation charges (excluding alcohol) which amounts to 15%, through the Mauritius Revenue Authority.
What measures can be taken to ease the digital nomad life?
Marketing to the digital nomad is a key aspect of this conversation. With the luxury traveller becoming much younger in recent times, using social media marketing is very important, especially with Instagram.
However, digital nomads can be of different ages and circumstances, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.
One common ground is that most digital nomads are looking for locations that enable them to be self-sufficient: Do their own laundry, cook, get their hair done etc. It is essential to effectively communicate the details of packages, amenities, and facilities to the appropriate target audiences.
ECOWAS countries are currently working on a system of classification to differentiate hotels, ecolodges, motels, apart-hotels, and hostels. The South African Bureau of Standards has also specified standards for hospitality grading and classification.
This will allow service providers to correctly advertise their offerings and ensure that digital nomads are well-informed and feel assured about the idea of living and working without stress in their chosen destination.
Challenges to the digital nomad life
This discourse will not be complete without itemising the challenges to the digital nomad lifestyle on the continent. The two major ones are lack of reliable internet connectivity and insecurity.
Businesses that operate online have lost thousands of hours due to internet blackouts and this translates to losses running in billions of dollars. In 2019, internet and social media shutdowns cost Africa over $2 billion.
Additionally, there are issues with internet censorship and government surveillance in some African countries, which could be a concern for digital nomads who require a free and open internet.
However, in many major cities, this is not the case.
There is also the issue of safety, with some areas of Africa facing security challenges that could pose a threat to digital nomads. Thankfully, African countries have been working to nip that narrative in the bud.
For example, Rwanda has been ranked by the BBC as the second safest country for solo female travellers. Rwanda attained this rank due to its warm friendly hospitality, low rates of violent crime, absence of legal discrimination, and a commitment to women’s inclusion and safety.
In conclusion, Africa has great potential as a destination for digital nomads. The digital nomad space is here to stay. Now it’s a matter of continuing to embrace it by developing supporting frameworks and finding bigger, better ways of working in synergy with other countries, while positively marketing our destinations and diminishing poor perceptions.
Further Reading: Africa Travel Week Trend Report 2023