Top 10 Destinations For Expats and Digital Nomads In Africa

Where would you go?

While it can seem like Africa is the last place on earth you’d want to move to, more and more people from all over the world are choosing to call this continent home and live here permanently.

If you’re one of them, or if you’re planning on making Africa your next vacation destination —

Here are the top 10 countries in Africa for ex-pats and digital nomads:

Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa’s second-largest city is an exciting place to retire, or even just visit.

You can find good healthcare services, sunny weather, and a strong ex-pat community here in Cape Town.

The beachfront is also a great place to relax, read a book and watch people go by. And if you want some adventure, South Africa offers plenty: from hiking trails through Table Mountain National Park to bungee jumping off Victoria Falls Bridge.

It’s no wonder that many retirees choose Cape Town as their retirement destination!

Nairobi, Kenya

You can fly to most countries within Africa or connect to Asia or Europe, from Nairobi. There are also direct flights to North America (New York, Washington, Toronto) and Brazil.

Expats love this city for its vibrant startup scene with plenty of coworking spaces. Kenya is popular as a retirement destination due to its warm weather, nice beaches on tropical islands, low cost of living — and more importantly its perceived safety.

The country is home to many national parks which are great places to get out into nature and do some hiking or camping.

It’s not difficult to travel throughout Kenya because most roads outside of major cities are well maintained.

Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali, Rwanda, is a safe haven for ex-pats and digital nomads.

Home to an international airport (which makes it easy to travel in and out of) as well as a vibrant ex-pat community, it’s an excellent place to set up shop while working remotely or searching for a more permanent location.

Expats love Kigali for its affordability, friendly locals, and easy access to other countries in Africa. The city is known for its abundance of good restaurants, coffee shops, gyms, and even a few coworking spaces.

The city also offers beautiful natural landscapes with plenty of hiking trails that lead right into neighboring countries like Uganda, Congo, Burundi, etc.

For those looking to travel around Africa easily from their base in Kigali, there are plenty of options available.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa is a vibrant community of more than 3 million people.

The city offers an abundance of green spaces, which makes it one of the best retirement destinations in Africa.

It’s also very affordable, with an average rent price of $500 per month for ex-pats living there.

In addition to having plenty to do, Addis Ababa also has great weather all year round, so you can enjoy your time there without worrying about extreme temperatures.

Luanda, Angola

Luanda offers everything you could ever want in a city.

It has luxury, art, culture, a young atmosphere, and well-maintained beaches — the perfect place for ex-pats or digital nomads.

You will find many people here working remotely while soaking up some rays. Every year it attracts more ex-pats as well as young travelers looking to have fun on their gap year or internship abroad.

The cost of living in Luanda is very high. Accommodation costs can be as much as $1,000 per month for a small apartment or guesthouse, while groceries can also expensive.

Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa has a booming ex-pat scene, thanks to its beautiful landscape, amazing weather, friendly people, good food and wine, and modern infrastructure.

Expats love Johannesburg for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, friendly people, good food, and wine. Many ex-pats also find it convenient that English is spoken widely.

The city is home to a diverse population of South Africans, as well as people from all over Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Accra, Ghana

Accra, Ghana is an increasingly popular destination for ex-pats in Africa.

Although Accra is expensive by Ghanaian standards, it is relatively affordable for ex-pats who earn in foreign currency.

The city also has a large number of international schools, making it easy to find an education for your children.

Expats love Ghana for its friendly people, great food, and chill laid-back vibes.

There’s also a large international and ex-pat community in Accra, this makes it easier for new ex-pats to settle and find community easily.

Casablanca & Marrakech, Morocco

Casablanca is one of Africa’s most modern cities. It is easy to navigate and welcoming to ex-pats because of its international feel.

It has a large community of digital nomads and international travelers, making it a comfortable place for people who like to be surrounded by like-minded people.

Almost everyone speaks English here. Plus, if you’re planning on working remotely (or have Internet connectivity), Marrakech has some pretty sweet co-working spaces that are worth checking out.

While Casablanca tends to be a bit more expensive than other parts of Morocco, you’ll still find cheap transportation options and plenty of low-cost eateries.

Dakar, Senegal

Senegal is home to some of Africa’s best beaches, its capital city Dakar is dubbed the Paris of Africa.

Average temperatures are hot but manageable, and most ex-pats find that they can live comfortably on around $1,500 per month.

The food in Senegal is delicious but cheap, and Western restaurants are common here too.

Expats love Dakar for its laid-back atmosphere, friendly locals, beautiful beaches, and lively music scene.

The city is known for its busy markets, which are a great place to go shopping for local produce. The average cost of living in Senegal is $1,500 per month.

Cairo, Egypt

The capital of Egypt, Cairo is known for its politics, history, sights, culture, and nightlife.

It’s a busy city with something for everyone. Depending on your taste, you can get traditional Egyptian food at street vendors or international cuisine at posh restaurants.

Expats love Cairo for its vibrant nightlife, with a range of bars, clubs, and cafes to choose from.

Living in Cairo is not cheap though; it’s one of Africa’s most expensive cities.

The cost of living in Egypt overall is relatively low compared to Europe or North America, but you’ll still need to make sure you have enough money saved up if you want to live in one of its bigger cities like Cairo.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to relocate or just explore, these are some of the highly recommended countries to visit on the African continent.

Have you visited any of these countries?

Did I miss a country?

Let me know in the comment section.

If you’re thinking about becoming a digital nomad or ex-pat, you can Download my E-Book: A Digital Nomad & Expat’s Complete Research Guide To Moving and Living Abroad

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