Freelancing in Africa is undergoing a revolution. Platforms like Upwork, Behance, and Fiverr have opened doors to a global client base, giving freelancers access to work beyond borders. But despite the boom, a frustration persists: getting paid.
The infrastructure supporting international payments remains shaky, even as demand for talent grows. Freelancers routinely face delayed transfers, outrageous transaction fees, untraceable funds, and high currency conversion rates.
To understand how freelancers are navigating this, Techparley spoke to freelancers who’ve found ways to make global payments work for them.
The Payment Boom for Freelancers
Chiamaka James, a virtual assistant based in Abuja, remembers her early freelance days. “I used to have problems receiving money,” she says. “Sometimes I had to use friends overseas just to access my own earnings.”
That changed when she discovered platforms like Leatherback, Payoneer and Wise. This allowed her to receive payments directly, in her own name, and gave her better visibility into her finances.
“I used to have problems before receiving money, as I use some of my friends who reside abroad to receive money, but now, I can track my income better myself,” she added.
For Chiamaka, the ability to manage income without intermediaries marked a turning point in her freelance journey.
How Payment Options Shape Client Relationships
For Lagos-based graphic designer Sodiq Adesola, who works primarily with small businesses in Germany, trust isn’t built solely through design, it starts with how payments are handled.
“I used to receive payments through my Nigerian domiciliary account, but I hated the delays,” he says. Eventually, he moved away from platforms and began dealing with clients directly. His preferred platform? Chipper Cash.
“Chipper has helped me scale my payment mode a lot. Once I took control of how clients paid me, my cash flow improved. It also improved the kind of clients I attracted,” he explains. For Sodiq, offering a smooth payment option is part of the professional image he presents to clients abroad.
Smart Tools, Smarter Workflows
For frontend developer Ayomide Lawal, receiving payments from the US used to be a constant headache. “Those days of delayed payments are over,” he says.
Ayomide now relies primarily on Payoneer. With its virtual US bank account feature, his American clients can pay him as if he were a domestic contractor. He can then withdraw to his Nigerian account. He also keeps Wise on standby for added flexibility.
“Sometimes you need to pivot and use different platforms too,” he says. “I’m glad Wise and Payoneer have been doing perfectly for me.” For Ayomide, a strong payment strategy is very essential.
Payments as a Reflection of Professionalism
Faith Omoniyi, an architectural designer based in Lagos, specialises in 2D and 3D AutoCAD projects. Her clients span the UK and Canada, and like many freelancers, she’s constantly looking for better ways to streamline payments.
Recently, she began experimenting with Leatherback, a fintech platform offering multicurrency wallets and low transaction fees. Leatherback gives her lower fees and more flexible currency options.
But beyond convenience, Faith says the way freelancers handle payments affects how seriously clients take them.
“Most foreign clients aren’t just buying a service — they’re buying reliability,” she says. “If your invoice looks shoddy or if you’re unsure of how they can pay you, you lose credibility.”
How Can These Platforms Do Better?
Despite the progress of these fintech platforms, many freelancers still feel underserved. Ibrahim Tunde, a product designer based in Ibadan, believes the problem is simple: African users aren’t prioritised.
“When there’s a problem with payments, you’re on your own,” he says. “Support is almost non-existent for us, but clients abroad get replies in minutes. We deserve the same urgency.”
He points out that many global platforms demand documents that are difficult to obtain in Nigeria — from formal utility bills to rigid tax IDs, without offering clear alternatives. Worse still, many impose poor exchange rates that devalue freelancers’ earnings.
“We’re not asking for miracles,” Ibrahim says. “Just listen to us. Build local teams, partner with African banks, and fix the support systems.”
He sees hope in customer-friendly platforms like Leatherback and Geegpay, which are tailored to the African market. “These African-led platforms are winning because they understand our pain and they’re building with us, not just for us.”
