NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s burgeoning digital workforce, estimated at 1.2 million strong, is punching below its weight in terms of pay.
While Kenyans are taking on roles like transcribing, virtual assistance, coding, and data entry for multinational firms, their wages are up to five times lower than their global counterparts, according to recent findings.
The disparity underscores a growing concern: Kenya’s digital outsourcing sector may be expanding, but workers are still struggling to rise above the poverty line.
Despite government initiatives promoting digital job outsourcing, a structural gap persists.
The Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy, John Tanui, pointed to the government’s focus on the “digital superhighway” as a foundation for boosting business process outsourcing (BPO).
Kenya: A Global Hub for Tech and Innovation Kenya is rising as a leader in software engineering, with E&M Technology House Ltd at the forefront. Known for core banking solutions and investments in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), E&M is leveraging Kenya’s tech talent to drive…
However, with youth unemployment soaring at 67pc, this progress feels like a slow drip compared to the flood of demand.
Siasa Place CEO Nerima Wako explained, “Kenyan workers are earning a fraction of what their counterparts in developed nations receive for the same tasks. The sector’s potential is vast, but wage disparities and harsh working conditions persist.”
According to the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) report, Kenyan online workers earn an average of Sh20,773 ($142) per month—a far cry from salaries in countries with established outsourcing structures.
The gap is not just economic but social, as many workers remain unable to join Kenya’s middle class despite contributing significantly to their families.
For Kenya to cement its status as a global outsourcing hub, it needs robust policies that address the sector’s challenges.
While Kenya trails behind India—which boasts 26pc of the global online workforce—experts suggest strategic moves like leveraging the Kenyan diaspora and improving international branding.
Director of Foreign Service David Katiambo noted, “Kenya’s reputation internationally can fast-track growth in digital outsourcing. Collaboration with global firms and setting equitable wage structures are crucial steps forward.”
However, concerns remain over unethical practices like academic writing fraud, fueled by internet penetration and job scarcity.
The government has yet to address how such issues tarnish Kenya’s reputation on the global stage.
While the government and private sector emphasize technology as a driver of economic growth, the benefits remain unevenly distributed.
Efforts like the digital superhighway and the Head of Presidential Special Projects, Dennis Itumbi’s assurance that BPO jobs are a government priority, signal hope.
For now, however, Kenyan workers remain in a challenging position: globally essential but undervalued.
Fixing wage inequalities and ensuring fair working conditions could unlock the full potential of this fast-growing workforce.
