The City of Cape Town is seeking to further capitalise on the introduction of South Africa’s remote work visa by hosting the first-ever Nomad Week – a global gathering of digital nomads from March 9-15 – organised in partnership with Work Wanderers (a company dedicated to supporting professionals in transitioning to the digital nomad lifestyle).
Nomad Week will provide a platform for engagements on key issues and opportunities within the growing digital nomad market. The event is part of Cape Town’s ongoing efforts to position the city as Africa’s leading destination for remote workers.
James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, highlighted the city’s commitment to fostering this market: “Cape Town has rapidly become a hub for digital nomads, offering a combination of natural beauty, infrastructure and entrepreneurial spirit. Hosting Nomad Week underscores our efforts to establish Cape Town as a premier destination for remote workers. The introduction of the remote worker visa by national government, which aligns with our recommendations, further supports this vision.”
The visa allows international remote workers to live and work in the country while earning income from foreign sources. This development positions South Africa as a key player in the global digital nomad market, which reached a value of US$787 billion in 2023.
Research by Work Wanderers indicates that digital nomads typically earn between US$50 000 and US$123 000 annually, highlighting the potential economic impact of the market.
Event organiser and Work Wanderers Founder and Chief Executive Officer Andrae Smith expressed enthusiasm for the initiative.
“This event will be a space for collaboration, networking and professional growth for location-independent professionals. Cape Town’s unique landscapes and innovative culture make it the perfect location for the first Nomad Week, which we hope will grow into a global series of events,” she said.
Nomad Week will include community outreach initiatives. Attendees will participate in programmes supporting local organisations such as the Bright Student Learning Centre non-profit school for over 250 children and the Africa Tikkun youth development group.
