The pandemic forced many African businesses to rethink how work happens. What started as a survival mechanism has now morphed into a defining shift in the way many SMEs operate. Across cities such as Lagos, Nairobi, Accra and Cairo, remote and hybrid work is gaining ground and with it, a chance to reset traditional business constraints.
In Nigeria, a 2024 survey from Zoho shows only 14% of businesses operate fully remotely. About 31% have adopted a hybrid model, and the majority, 55% continue to require full on‑site attendance. That suggests remote work remains nascent, yet hybrid arrangements are emerging as a serious middle path.
Part of what fuels the shift is simple economics. For SMEs constrained by tight budgets and high overhead costs, hybrid models reduce rent, office utilities and overheads while preserving enough structure for collaboration and leadership oversight. Especially in markets like Lagos or Nairobi, where real estate and commuting are increasingly cumbersome, hybrid work offers flexibility without fully abandoning the benefits of a physical workspace.
At the same time, Africa’s broader remote‑work ecosystem has evolved. A recent report from Rayda reveals that remote workers across the continent especially in tech, design, data science and digital marketing are drawing significantly higher earnings than local standards, often pulling in between USD 1,000–2,000 per month. For many on the continent, that’s transformative income: far beyond typical local wages.
This surge in pay and opportunity is drawing attention from global firms. Demand is rising for talent based in African hubs. As part of this trend, Lagos now counts among the top African cities contributing to remote placements, alongside Nairobi, Accra, Johannesburg and Cairo.
Still, the shift isn’t smooth for everyone. Infrastructure remains a persistent challenge across many African contexts. In Nigeria, slow or unreliable internet and power disruptions are among the most cited barriers to effective remote work. One survey reported that up to 80% of respondents struggled with connectivity issues when working remotely. In practice, many remote workers invest in backup power solutions, better internet data plans or hybrid arrangements just to maintain consistency.
Cultural mindsets and business‑management practices also challenge remote adoption. Traditional workplaces in Nigeria and several other African countries often equate productivity with physical presence. For many SMEs, especially outside tech or creative industries, remote work remains a novel experiment. Some firms lack structured remote‑work policies, leading to inconsistent implementation and friction in collaboration or accountability. But for those willing to adapt thoughtfully, hybrid work is proving powerful. The rise of coworking spaces across African cities, designed to offer reliable internet, stable power and collaborative ambience is filling a crucial gap. As of 2025, the continent counts over 500 verified coworking spaces, with cities such as Lagos leading the count. For entrepreneurs managing multiple businesses — as you do — hybrid work opens strategic flexibility. Firms in marketing, design, export logistics, tech, and creative services can now structure operations so that core functions (like production or warehousing) remain on-site, while support functions (marketing, design, admin, customer service) run remotely. That reduces fixed costs, widens access to talent (within Nigeria, across Africa, or globally), and provides agility as demand shifts.
Moreover, remote‑first or hybrid‑friendly SMEs are better positioned to tap global markets. Through remote work, African talent becomes globally accessible. Competitive wages from international clients, coupled with relatively lower cost of living locally, create attractive arbitrage — benefiting both talent and employers. Reports show many African remote workers reinvest in stable setups: better internet, backup electricity, and the tools they need to deliver international‑standard work.
That said, the gains are not automatic. For remote and hybrid work to evolve from experiment to sustainable standard, African SMEs must embed it intentionally. That means investing in reliable infrastructure (internet, power backups), adopting cloud‑based collaboration tools and unified workflow platforms, and formalising HR and management policies to support remote teams — not just temporarily but long‑term. Evidence from Nigeria suggests firms that did this saw improved project completion rates, higher client satisfaction, and better employee retention.
Critically, remote work must coexist with the realities of African life: variable power supply, patchy internet, social housing or shared living, and cultural expectations of physical presence. For many workers, remote work remains a hybrid of opportunity and struggle: better pay and flexibility, yet extra burden on personal resources.
Looking ahead, remote and hybrid work could reshape Africa’s SME landscape, turning locality into advantage instead of constraint. For entrepreneurs building pan‑African or globally oriented ventures, this shift comes as a chance to structure agile, lean, and resilient organisations. And for talent, whether in Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, or elsewhere, remote work offers a pathway to global opportunities without leaving home.
In the new normal, hybrid and remote work aren’t just adaptations. They are strategic tools. Firms that invest in infrastructure, digital tools and culture, and entrepreneurs who design their operations around flexibility and global access will lead Africa’s next wave of SME growth.
