Working remotely in Africa for international clients opens up a world of possibilities for developers, but a major obstacle persists: reliable access to electricity. Yet, in the face of this challenge, African ingenuity shines through, with innovative solutions and a constant improvement in the energy situation across the continent.
The rise of remote working has enabled African developers to collaborate with companies worldwide, offering a wealth of skills and a unique perspective. However, the execution of these roles, intrinsically linked to technology, sometimes encounters a local reality: the availability and stability of electricity. While urban centers generally benefit from better coverage, rural areas often face fragile networks, a significant challenge for tech professionals.
Although access to electricity remains unequal in Africa, certain countries stand out with impressive coverage rates. Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco proudly display access to electricity for their entire populations. In Southern Africa, South Africa closely follows with a rate of 95%. These figures contrast with the situation in other nations where the potential for tech development is nevertheless immense. At ZeGuild, a platform connecting businesses to the elite of African developers (the Top 3%), talent notably comes from Côte d’Ivoire (80% access to electricity), Ghana (89%, a leader in West Africa), Cameroon (62%, with persistent challenges but notable progress), and Senegal (73%, rapidly improving thanks to investment).
Faced with these disparities, a wave of ingenious solutions has emerged to ensure the continuity of work for remote developers. Generators are a common solution in offices, providing backup power in case of outages. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and batteries are gaining popularity among home-based workers to mitigate temporary interruptions. Furthermore, the adoption of renewable energies is experiencing exponential growth, with the installation of solar panels offering a sustainable and reliable alternative.
It is crucial to highlight that electrical infrastructure across the African continent is undergoing rapid change, with massive investments injected by the public and private sectors to accelerate electrification, including in rural areas. In addition, the emergence of African tech hubs is attracting significant funding, aiming to guarantee stable and reliable connectivity, including access to consistent power, for developers and other tech professionals.
Despite the obstacles related to access to electricity, African developers demonstrate remarkable resilience and creativity in carrying out their assignments. Thanks to the adoption of adapted solutions and the constant progress made in improving energy infrastructure, Africa is undeniably on the path to exponential technological growth. At ZeGuild, we are proud to highlight this exceptional talent, drawn from the Top 3% of African developers, and to connect them with international opportunities. We invite you to discover how to collaborate with these unique professionals and to be an integral part of this technological revolution underway on the African continent.
