For Kenyans, there are wide-ranging online jobs that pay via M-Pesa, we have compiled a list of the top online jobs that allow payments via the popular mobile money platform.
1. Freelance writing
A freelance writer creates content for different companies or individuals for a fee. Such content may include general articles, fictional stories, product reviews, or product comparisons. Most freelance writers often focus on a specific niche based on their expertise, interests, preferences, and knowledge. Still, you can choose to work across multiple niches if you want to get a wider range of clients.
One of the most popular platforms is Upwork, an international freelancing platform with thousands of online writing jobs that pay via M-Pesa.
2. Virtual assistant
A virtual assistant is a self-employed person who provides administrative services to another individual or company from a remote location. Over the last few years, Kenyans could only find virtual assistant jobs on international platforms. However, this has gradually changed as more local companies embrace the idea. Kenyan platforms such as Vyemma now link virtual assistants with clients all over the country.
3. Flipping websites
Flipping a website is investing in a site that is dormant or one that is making money, improving it, and then selling it for a profit. The improvements might include increasing the traffic to the site, setting up a monetization program, or even aesthetic improvements. While this is overly simplified, flipping a website takes time to master. A website can be built, bought and sold from the comfort of your home, making this one of the best online jobs to try. The job is also location-independent since your customers can be domestic or foreign.
4. Web design
A freelance web designer creates designs for websites for companies and individuals independently. Typical specific tasks include selecting visual elements, page layouts, creative interactive items, and colour palettes that match the client’s brand specifications. Like other services provided in Kenya, your web design clients can pay you via M-Pesa.
5. Social media marketing and influencing
Typically, a social media marketer creates promotional, advertising, and marketing content for a company on the social media platforms in which it has a presence. Today, social media marketers are in huge demand. Social media influencers use their massive presence on social media to help companies and individuals market their products in exchange for a fee. Social media marketers and influencers understand numerous aspects, such as the content type, demographics, and audience preferences. The ease of setting up various social media profiles makes this one of the easiest online jobs in Kenya that pay via M-Pesa.
6. Forex trading
Forex trading is among the most recent Kenyan online jobs that pay via M-Pesa. Forex trading refers to the purchase and sale of currencies on the international currency market. The trading happens at the current exchange rate. Traders look to make a profit by buying currencies and selling them later for a higher price. This can be done at the comfort of your home or office. This is mostly done through accredited forex brokers, often regulated by different oversight bodies. In Kenya, forex trading is legal and regulated by the Capital markets Authority (CMA). There are several forex brokerages in the country where one can deposit and withdraw their funds via M-Pesa, a huge advantage over dealing with international brokerages that often don’t offer the M-Pesa option.
7. Social media manager
These managers are responsible for curating a brand’s social media channels. They respond to audience comments, moderate discussions, and manage the company’s online interactions with individuals and other entities. Today, almost every reputable company has a social media presence, creating numerous freelance social media managers opportunities.
8. Graphic designer
A graphic designer is a visual communicator who creates concepts using specialized graphic design software. The designs are often meant to captivate, inform, inspire, and communicate ideas. These designers are responsible for most of a company’s branding, marketing, and advertising content, such as posters, billboards, flyers, and packaging designs.
9. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is an advertising model in which a firm pays a third-party publisher (affiliate) to generate sales leads or website traffic to its services or products in exchange for a commission. The affiliate finds a product or service they like and then figure out ways to promote it. In exchange, they earn a share of the revenue or profit from the product or service sale. An affiliate’s sales are tracked via an affiliate link tracker. Kenya also has several affiliate programs, the most popular one being Jumia’s KOL (key opinion leader) program. One needs to fill out an application form and await approval. Once accepted, the new affiliate can begin promoting Jumia’s offers for a commission.
10. Blogger
A blog is a type of website in which a writer or group of writers share their views on a particular subject or various subjects. A blog can be personal or business-oriented. In the latter case, one needs to come up with ways to monetize the blog.
Once your blog is up and running, you have several monetization options.Example is Selling downloadable content, Once your readers recognize you as an authority in your area of specialization, you can earn money by selling them downloadable content. For example, if you have a forex blog, you can sell your readers downloadable forex courses.
11 Jumia
You can make money on Jumia by selling your stuff via the platform (you will need to create a virtual shop on their platform) or by joining their affiliate program. You will be paid through M-pesa after the end of every month.