In recent months, countries like Kenya, Mauritius, and even South Africa have started promoting special visas for digital nomads — remote workers who travel the world while working online. These visas aim to attract international professionals with high incomes to live, spend, and possibly invest in these African economies. On the surface, it sounds like a win: economic stimulation, tourism boost, and global visibility.

But as a young African woman looking at this development, I have to ask — where do we, the locals, fit into this shiny new plan?

For many young people in Africa, remote work is still a dream. We struggle with unstable electricity, expensive internet, and limited access to global markets. So while digital nomads are welcomed with open arms, we’re still battling just to get a seat at the remote work table. The irony? Many of us have the same skills — if not more hustle — but far fewer opportunities.

There’s also the gentrification risk. When digital nomads settle into trendy neighborhoods, the cost of living rises. Coffee shops and co-working spaces pop up, but often price out the very communities that made those places vibrant to begin with.

That said, it’s not all doom and gloom. These visas could be an opportunity if African governments also invest in their local youth — offering subsidies for local entrepreneurs, improving infrastructure, and creating pathways into global freelance markets.

The real question is: can we make Africa a digital haven for everyone, not just those arriving from elsewhere?