There are several ways to make money as a remote software developer in Africa. Methods like bounty schemes, online educational programming programs, etc., are just a few of the many ways to achieve this.
The good thing about being a software developer is that you can make cool money from wherever you are in the world.
Plus, remote employment is more popular than ever, and it provides a high quality of life.
Flowcharts and algorithms are common among African software engineers.
Some can also generate efficient and clean code based on the requirements of their clients.
While the options for ways to make money as a remote software developer in Africa may appear limited, we have some suggestions that can help make the process seamless.
What is Software development?
Software development is the process programmers use to build computer programs.
The life cycle includes several phases that provide a method for building products that meet technical specifications and user requirements.
Website development consists of many steps, which include designing and coding. The processes and phases used in web development are known as the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
Websites are one of the most common uses for computers and software, with millions being created each year.
The demand for new websites is so great that entire businesses have been built around this concept, offering design services and hosting packages in addition to programming services.
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6 Ways to Make Money Working Remotely as A Software Developer in Africa
- Create a YouTube Channel
- Freelance
- Write and Sell an eBook
- Develop a WordPress Theme or a Plugin
- Bounty Programs
- Teach Programming Courses Online
1. Create a YouTube Channel
YouTube is a powerful platform on which you can share your knowledge with the world.
If you are reading this article, then it is safe to assume that you are in search of ways to make money as a remote software developer in Africa, so, this is definitely the first option to explore.
You can start by creating a YouTube channel for yourself. Then proceed to post videos on anything related to coding, such as tutorials that teach someone how to code or answers to common questions.
When people get value from your videos, they end up subscribing to your YouTube Channel.
How it works is that the more subscribers your YouTube channel has, the more views your videos get, and the more money you make.
YouTube also places advertisements next to your films and pays you a portion of the revenue.
2. Freelancing
For many developers, freelancing is another attractive source of income.
Fortunately, this is another way most software developers explore. If you are looking for ways to make money as a remote software developer in Africa, you should join in too.
Some people work it full-time, while others work it part-time to supplement their income.
One of the benefits of freelancing is that you can choose from a variety of areas and hone your talents to provide high-quality services to your clients.
However, success requires devotion and hard work. One of the keys to freelance success is to find a niche that sets you apart from the competition.
Some platforms, such as Fiverr, Upwork, and others, provide an excellent opportunity for anyone to begin freelancing, but you should be aware of the fierce competition that exists.
3. Write and Sell an eBook
If you are looking for seamless ways to make money as a remote software developer in Africa, you should consider the option of writing and selling e-books.
African software developers with writing and editing skills can make a fair living by doing this. Thousands of readers are learning a new programming language, and by sharing your knowledge and experience in books, you can benefit.
Consider authoring books with valuable content to secure a steady stream of money over time. It is profitable to write an educational book on software development or to teach your audience about programming.
The concept is to write educational books and advertise and sell them on platforms like Amazon Kindle, eBay, or social media.
4. Develop a WordPress Theme or a Plugin
WordPress is used by over 14.7 percent of the top websites on the internet. It is a free and open-source CMS (CMS).
As a programmer, you can monetize this popular CMS by creating a theme or plugin. Even if creating a WordPress plugin is a long-term investment, you will not be disappointed because it will pay you for a long time.
WordPress has a market share of 60.8 percent in the content management system market. It also has a plugin directory with over 55,000 plugins.
Because many organizations are still starting out and attempting to establish an online presence, the plugin market cannot be oversaturated.
You can sell your plugin on websites like Codester, ThemeSnap, Mojo Marketplace, CodeCanyon, and others.
Developing a WordPress plugin or theme is one of the finest remote ways for software developers to earn money, according to WPexplorer.
Despite the fact that WordPress is an open-source Content Management System, African software developers can sell a plugin or theme.
Online, skilled African software developers who provide these comprehensive services can earn foreign dollars from a variety of locations.
The goal is to create a plugin or a theme that solves a specific problem for people. If you can produce a plugin or theme that makes a difference, this technique is worth considering.
You earn money by selling your work on WordPress and teaching others about it.
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5. Bounty Programs
Bug bounty hunting, often known as bug hunting, is a type of work that pays programmers to find flaws or vulnerabilities in newly produced software, web apps, and websites.
Software failures cost $1.7 trillion in assets in 2019. According to the report, 314 companies were responsible for the failure, which impacted up to half of the global population.
During the software programming process, developers frequently commit errors. This is due to the fact that firms employ crowdsourcing to tap into the collective intelligence of a group of programmers.
And the more programmers working on a project, the more likely they are to identify flaws.
Instead of hiring a security team, companies use the pooled knowledge of software programmers to uncover program problems, making it suitable for competent Africans.
If you can work with a group of programmers to uncover flaws in a project, consider a reward program. Working as a bug bounty hunter for several companies online can earn you thousands of dollars without any limits.
6. Teach Programming Courses Online
There are so many learning management systems online where you can create courses and teach them.
Some of these platforms where you can sell your courses are Coursera and Udemy. You may start with free tutorials to build a customer base.
By so doing, you will gain their trust and your proficiency in the field will also be made known to them. After that, you can start selling your courses to them.
Several universities are looking for online computer science instructors. You could also apply.
Jobs that require software development
Software development is used in a variety of roles in the IT industry. Here are five prominent occupations that you can start with software development knowledge.
1. Computer programmer
Primary duties: Computer programmers’ main responsibilities include writing, modifying, and debugging software. The design server applications maintain, monitor, document, and test software via writing code.
2. Quality assurance engineer
Primary duties: As a quality assurance engineer, you’ll compile quality assurance reports, test products, and design systems to ensure programs meet software development project requirements. You’ll also identify defects and ensure that software is bug-free before deployment and release to users.
3. Database administrator
Primary duties: Database administrators are responsible for monitoring and improving the performance of database systems.
They install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain database systems and ensure optimal security at all times. This role requires a good understanding of both hardware and software, as well as excellent analytical abilities.
4. Senior systems analyst
Primary duties: Senior systems analysts monitor network and system parameters, such as performance and security. They install, configure, maintain and upgrade software and hardware of the networking systems. They collect data from existing configurations to improve existing solutions or add new features.
5. Software engineer
Primary duties: Software engineers develop and write code to address user needs. They work with clients to understand project requirements, and then design programs based on those specifications. After testing their code for errors and usability, software engineers make necessary adjustments.
Conclusion
Now is the time to explore the lucrative software development industry and earn a decent income with effective strategies.
Africa is slowly waking up to the fact that they can build their own products and use them to get paid.
This has created a new wave of developers across the continent, ready to build better products for businesses and consumers.
With access to so many resources, you can create your own job by teaching others how to learn programming, building websites, and applications for people who want them or building plugins for popular CMSs like WordPress.
