How Freelancing Can Drive Economic Growth

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Over the past decade, the freelancing market has exploded, fueled by technology and the gig economy. This presents a golden opportunity for young people in Africa. It allows them to work remotely, earn income, and be their own boss. However, to thrive in this competitive space, they need the right skills and knowledge.

One critical skill is digital literacy, especially programming. Enter Michael, a seasoned software developer with over 40 years of experience. We met in Bukavu, DR Congo, two years ago. Impressed by his passion for equipping young developers with freelancing skills, he created michaelkentburns.com, a valuable resource for beginners seeking tools to expand their services internationally.

Sharing this passion for community development, Michael has trained two cohorts of aspiring web developers over the past year. We learned about teamwork with GitHub, agile methodologies, project budgeting, time management, documentation, and more. I personally honed my leadership skills, planning tasks, motivating the team, debugging, and communicating effectively on GitHub. These are all essential skills for remote collaborators.

Now, with the basics under our belts, what’s next? Our goal is to build a supportive community of developers who can uplift each other as online freelancers. Together, we’ll offer digital solutions to local clients and communities, creating a positive economic impact.

It won’t be easy. But with dedication and teamwork, we’ll overcome challenges. To maintain team dynamics and internet access, we invested in a router at Lephare Church, our regular workspace. We fund our own internet connection, making it our “office.” Weekly meetings involve coding challenges, online courses, and video tutorials. Wednesdays are dedicated to addressing common issues and live coding sessions. We’ve set a six-month goal for beginners to build competitive portfolios for the international market.

Our future vision is an online agency connecting talented freelancers with potential clients. This will empower those struggling to find jobs, especially young professionals. The agency will offer comprehensive training to help them excel in their chosen fields. Through this initiative, we want to establish a sustainable platform for professional growth, financial stability, and economic empowerment for diverse individuals.

By investing in programs that develop these skills, young Africans can unlock the potential of the global freelancing market and contribute to the continent’s economic rise.

Author: Philemon B.

5 thoughts on “How Freelancing Can Drive Economic Growth”

  1. Thank you very much Philemon for this article.
    It is a great privilege for me to be part of this team.
    We firmly believe that with hard work and God’s help it is possible to meet this challenge.

  2. Thank you again for your great contribution. And thank you for the encouragement of knowing that you are leading the effort of organizing your community. Your leadership is well appreciated!

  3. I’m truly grateful for the opportunities you’ve opened up for us. Your commitment to sharing knowledge and building up our freelancing community has not only given us practical skills but also a sense of purpose and belonging. Your belief in our potential has been a powerful motivator, and we look forward to making you proud as we carry your vision into the future. Thank you for being such a positive force in our lives.

  4. I’m truly excited about our journey together in building this community of web developers! Michael’s mentorship and the skills we’re acquiring are invaluable. By collaborating and supporting one another, we can create impactful digital solutions for our local clients. I look forward to our weekly meetings and challenges, as they not only enhance our technical skills but also strengthen our teamwork. Together, we can achieve our goal of establishing a successful online agency that empowers young professionals in our region. Let’s keep pushing forward!

  5. Building a supportive network of freelancers who can collaborate and grow together is such a powerful way to create sustainable impact.
    Thank you for sharing this journey—it’s motivating to see how small steps like weekly coding sessions and investing in internet access can make a huge difference!Building a supportive network of freelancers who can collaborate and grow together is such a powerful way to create sustainable impact. Thank you for sharing this journey—it’s motivating to see how small steps like weekly coding sessions and investing in internet access can make a huge difference!

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