The Rise of Digital Work in Rwanda
After losing her retail job, Sandrine Iradukunda, a 24-year-old transcriptionist based in Kigali, felt like she had reached a dead end—until a cousin overseas introduced her to the world of online work. Today, she is part of a growing trend among Rwandans who are finding opportunities in the global digital economy, though not without challenges.
Iradukunda listens to audio files such as interviews, meetings, and podcasts and transcribes them accurately. This role, often referred to as a transcriptionist, involves creating written copies of video or audio content. Her journey began when her cousin shared insights about transcription work. She started by watching free YouTube tutorials to learn the necessary skills. Within three weeks, she applied to GoTranscript, a legitimate platform that offers human-made transcription services. After passing their test, she was approved as a freelancer.
“I thought it was too good to be true,” said Iradukunda. “But I was determined to try.” When she earned her first $15 per hour, she couldn’t believe it. It was the first time she saw proof that online work was real and that she could do it. Today, she works part-time for clients in the U.S., earning over $300 a month, which covers her rent and other expenses.
Digital jobs have become a lifeline for many, whether to make ends meet, build a career, or escape traditional 9-to-5 routines. From freelance design and content writing to virtual assistance and tech support, more people, especially the youth, are turning to the internet to make a living. These roles can be done online using a computer or even a smartphone, often from the comfort of home or any location with internet access.
These jobs span various fields, including freelance writing, graphic design, transcription, data entry, virtual assistance, social media management, web development, digital marketing, and online tutoring. Digital work doesn’t require a degree to get started. As long as you have a marketable skill, a stable internet connection, and a clear plan, you can begin earning and building a career online.
The Risks of Online Work
However, with opportunity comes risk. Many people face scams and fake offers before finding something real. Jean-Claude Umuhire, a 32-year-old online affiliate marketer from Rwamagana District, learned this lesson the hard way. In 2018, he paid $100 to someone he only met online, who claimed they could apply for digital jobs on his behalf. After submitting the required documents, he was asked to pay an additional $70 due to system changes. Fearing he’d lose his initial investment, he made the second payment only to be completely ghosted.
“I thought about my $100 and decided to proceed so I wouldn’t make a loss,” said Umuhire. “But after the second payment, I lost contact with the person. That’s when I began to question whether online jobs were even real.”
Motivated to start afresh, Umuhire turned to Coursera, an organization that offers online courses and certifications. He learned the basics of digital marketing and joined free Facebook groups where people shared real advice on freelancing and building portfolios. Within two months, he landed his first legitimate client through Remotive.io, a fully remote job opportunity from vetted tech companies, and earned $450 for the first successful project.
Challenges Facing Freelancers in Rwanda
Despite the potential of digital freelancing to expand economic opportunities, Rwanda faces several structural challenges that limit widespread participation. According to the Rwanda Online Workforce & Digital Labor Market Report (2019–2025), only 1,437 Rwandans earned income through Upwork between 2017 and 2023, collectively earning $6 million. However, the top 20 freelancers captured 69% of that total, leaving over 1,400 others to share the rest.
Alex Ntale, CEO of Rwanda ICT Chamber, highlighted that despite an effective average hourly rate of $22.87, freelancers typically expected to earn $30.87/hour, indicating pressure from global competition, undervalued projects, or strategic underbidding. The report also notes that Rwanda’s freelance workforce is small, highly concentrated, and limited to a few well-trained individuals, mirroring global trends but on a smaller scale.
Addressing the Challenges
To address these challenges, the report recommends launching a National Freelance Rwanda Programme and setting up decentralized digital work hubs with high-speed internet, mentorship, and support services aimed at creating a more inclusive and geographically balanced freelance ecosystem.
How to Spot Scams
One of the clearest signs of a remote job scam is being asked to pay money upfront, said Umuhire. “Legitimate employers never request payment for training, job placement, or application processing. If someone asks for a $50 account setup fee or claims you need to pay to upgrade your application, that’s a red flag.”
Another warning sign is a job offer that sounds too good to be true, like promises of earning $500 a day with no skills or experience, or being hired without an interview. Genuine employers provide clear job descriptions, outline expectations, and require some level of qualification or vetting.
Scammers often rely on unofficial communication channels such as WhatsApp, Telegram, or Facebook inbox, without offering any professional email address or website. In contrast, real companies usually use domain-based emails and have a verifiable online presence.
Where to Find Legit Online Jobs
For those looking to find legitimate online jobs, platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer offer thousands of opportunities across various fields, including tech, writing, design, engineering, and more. These platforms connect businesses with independent professionals to work on remote projects.
Always verify the company or client before agreeing to anything or sharing personal information. If you can’t find them on Google, LinkedIn, or professional job boards, they may not be real. Research before taking any action.
