Remote work in Morocco
Morocco

How to easily find remote work in Morocco & North Africa in 2023

I get a lot of questions about how I’m able to work remotely while living in Morocco. I have been very fortunate to have a steady, reliable income for the almost three years I’ve lived in Morocco. My background is in healthcare and social services, which made the transition a little bit difficult because there are very few opportunities for remote work in the healthcare profession, particularly from overseas because of things like HIPAA. This meant I had to completely change my career, but I did, and now I’m able to survive on remote work in Morocco.

I don’t take this for granted at all and appreciate the freedom and flexibility remote work in Morocco has offered me. This, combined with the low cost of living, makes life in Morocco pretty great for remote workers. I want to share how I found work, what I’d suggest, and other helpful tips for those considering the move to Morocco.

Why finding work in Morocco is difficult

Morocco (and many African countries) have a bad economy. I hate to say it, but it’s true. Wages are low, and jobs are extremely competitive. That, combined with the fact that many jobs require high levels of French and Darija (Moroccan Arabic) to even be considered, means that the average foreigner is almost automatically excluded from consideration.

Personally, I don’t have a problem with this because I think that local jobs should be available for local citizens. It’s a shame to see local applicants get beat out for good jobs by people who have other countries with other opportunities available. I don’t want to see this happen to Morocco.

Teaching English in Morocco

The lone exception is teaching English. Foreigners have a surprisingly easy time teaching English in Morocco. In fact, one day, I was walking my dog down the street in Kenitra when a woman stopped me and offered me a job at the local English learning center. Many of the ex-pats and immigrants I know who live in Morocco, teach English locally. This is a popular option, because the wages tend to be quite competitive by local standards, with many teachers I know making between 5000 and 7000 dirhams per month (compared with the local Moroccan wage of around 2000-3000 dirhams per month).

In fact, it’s my understanding that many Americans and European citizens make more than their Moroccan counterparts for the same English teaching jobs. This is largely due to the fact that many students or their parents think that a foreign teacher will provide a more authentic learning experience, so American and British schools tend to show preferential hiring for foreign teachers.

If you were to ask me if I agree with this… I’d have to say that I don’t. But I guess that’s an article for another time.

Remote work in Morocco

Websites for finding remote work in Morocco

Most expats who live in Morocco who don’t teach English often work online from their home country. I’ve met many people who work in fields like:

  • Customer support
  • Social media management
  • Freelance writing
  • Web development
  • Teaching/tutoring English online

Here are websites to find remote work in Morocco and North Africa, broken down by category:

General job boards/digital nomad boards

Websites for teaching English

Websites for freelancers

Job boards for remote tech workers

Facebook groups for remote work opportunities

What you’ll need to work remotely

Before you even get started, here are some basics you’ll need to find and succeed at remote work in Morocco and North Africa:

  1. A reliable internet connection.
  2. A computer or laptop.
  3. Productivity software such as Microsoft Office or Google Suite.
  4. Communication tools like email, instant messaging, and video conferencing software.
  5. Collaboration tools for sharing and editing documents with remote team members.
  6. Time management tools to help stay organized and track tasks.
  7. A comfortable and quiet workspace.
  8. A headset or headphones for clear communication during virtual meetings.
  9. A webcam for video conferencing.
  10. Any additional software or tools specific to your job or industry.

When I first moved here, I was really desperate to find remote work in Morocco. However, I started looking and applying before we had sufficient Internet set up, in this made the whole process much more frustrating. Make sure you have all the essentials necessary to start working before you start applying. Doing things like attending job interviews or trying to actually start a new job is so frustrating when you don’t have the right computer, workspace, and especially Internet.

Avoiding scams while looking for remote work in Morocco and North Africa

To avoid scams while looking for remote work in Morocco and North Africa, follow these tips:

Research the company: Before applying or accepting any remote job offer, thoroughly research the company. Check if they have a legitimate website, online presence, and reviews from other employees or clients.

Verify the job posting: Be cautious of job postings that promise high salaries or seem too good to be true. Verify the legitimacy of the job posting by cross-checking it with the company’s official website or contacting them directly.

Avoid upfront payments: Legitimate employers will not ask for any upfront payment or fees for job applications or training. Be skeptical of any requests for payment before starting. Never, ever, ever pay to get a job!

Use trusted job platforms: Utilize reputable job platforms or websites that have a screening process for employers and job listings. These platforms often have measures in place to prevent scams and protect job seekers.

Verify contact information: Ensure the email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact information provided by the employer are legitimate. Do a quick search online to confirm if the contact details match the company’s official information.

Trust your instincts: If a job offer or communication seems suspicious or too good to be true, trust your instincts. Avoid sharing personal or financial information until you are confident about the legitimacy of the opportunity. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Unfortunately, many scammers prey on the fact that people are looking for remote work. Many people look for remote work in Morocco so that they can be with their families or significant others, which can make people a little bit desperate to find work. Don’t let that desperation make you too eager to accept a job that might not be reputable.

And it has to be said again, never send money in order to get a job. The most common employment scam is that a seemingly reputable company will hire you, but then require a down payment for different kinds of software or hardware. Never send money, ever. You will likely never see that money again, nor will you actually have a job at the end of it.

remote work in Morocco

FAQ about remote work in Morocco

Can you work remotely from Morocco?

You can absolutely work remote from Morocco! Much of the country has access to reliable, high-speed, fiber, optic Internet, there are Expat communities in the major cities, and the low cost of living makes Morocco a popular destination for remote workers.

Where can I remotely work in Morocco?

well, you can’t technically work remotely anywhere in Morocco, it’s suggested that you stick to the major cities for ease of transportation and reliable access to high-speed Internet. Marrakesh, Casablanca, Tangier and Rabat are popular cities for remote workers in Morocco.

Is Marrakech good for digital nomads?

Marrakech is fantastic for digital nomads. Between the amazing food, culture, historic medina, and beautiful riads, many expats and digital nomads alike call Marrakech home.

Where can I work remotely in Marrakech?

Anyone wanting to work remotely in Marrakesh can find an apartment, condo, or other rental all throughout the city. They’re not difficult to find, particularly if you check out Facebook marketplace or Avito.ma.

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