Remotasks, the online platform that offered remote work opportunities in tasks like copywriting, media labeling, and AI model training, has reportedly ceased operations in Kenya.
This move comes as a significant blow to many young, unemployed Kenyans and those seeking part-time gigs or additional income streams.
Remotasks Website Inaccessible Amid Reports of Exit
The platform, which gained popularity for allowing users to complete small online tasks and get paid in US dollars through platforms like PayPal, has been inaccessible in the country since Tuesday.
Users attempting to access the Remotasks website have been met with an error message stating, “Sorry, you have been blocked. You are unable to access remotasks.com.”
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Some Kenyan users have also shared that they’ve received an email letting them know that the platform is no longer accessible in the region.
“We are reaching out with an important announcement regarding Remotasks operations in your location. We are discontinuing operations in your current location effective March 8, 2024,” the email reads per several screenshots shared online.
Remotasks’ departure from the Kenyan market comes just months after President William Ruto highlighted the success story of a Kenyan student, Brian Kipchumba, who was earning an income through the platform.
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During a visit to Kaiboi National Polytechnic in January, Ruto lauded Kipchumba’s ability to secure employment with an AI company in Germany, despite never leaving his village or visiting Nairobi.
“He has never been to the city of Nairobi but because of technology, the internet and electricity, he now works, not for a supermarket, but for an AI company in Germany,” President Ruto spoke at the World Leaders Summit in Dubai.
However, some users have argued that Remotasks’ exit from the Kenyan market may not be as significant, as local accounts did not fetch as much money compared to foreign accounts.
While the reasons behind Remotasks’ decision to discontinue operations in Kenya remain unclear, the move has undoubtedly cut off a valuable earning opportunity for many Kenyans seeking remote work and supplementary income sources.
As the digital economy continues to evolve, platforms like Remotasks play a crucial role in connecting individuals with global opportunities from the comfort of their homes.
The loss of this platform raises concerns about the availability of such opportunities for Kenyans in the future.
We have reached out to Remotasks for clarification on this matter and will provide an update once we receive a response from them.
