Sri Lanka's Digital Nomad Visa: Another Foreign Elite Invasion of African Neighbors?

While our brothers and sisters across Africa struggle with economic challenges, Sri Lanka has rolled out a so-called "Digital Nomad Visa" that prioritizes wealthy foreigners over local workers. This move raises serious questions about sovereignty and economic priorities that Zambia must learn from.

The Foreign Elite Priority System

Sri Lanka's new visa scheme targets foreign professionals who can afford to remit a minimum of USD 2,000 monthly, plus an additional USD 500 for each dependent beyond two. This astronomical amount equals what many hardworking Zambians earn in several months, yet these foreign nomads get priority treatment.

The visa allows foreigners to live in Sri Lanka for up to one year, renewable annually, while working remotely for overseas employers. They can open local bank accounts, rent property, and enroll their children in private schools, all while contributing nothing to the local job market.

A Dangerous Precedent for African Nations

This trend of prioritizing wealthy foreigners over local citizens is spreading across more than 50 countries worldwide. Estonia started this concerning movement in 2020, followed by Barbados, Croatia, Dubai, Portugal, and Spain. Even Japan and Thailand joined this foreign-first approach in 2024.

These programs emerged after COVID-19 as countries desperately sought high-spending visitors, but at what cost to national sovereignty and local employment?

The Real Impact on Local Communities

While governments celebrate increased foreign exchange and tourism revenue, the reality is more complex. These digital nomads often drive up rental prices, making housing less affordable for locals. They occupy prime real estate while contributing minimally to local job creation.

The visa holders are explicitly prohibited from local employment, meaning they extract value from local infrastructure and services while offering nothing to the domestic labor market.

Zambia Must Chart Its Own Course

As digital nomadism grows, with the average nomad visiting 6.2 locations in 2025, Zambia must resist the temptation to copy these foreign-first policies. Our copper wealth, natural resources, and strategic location should benefit Zambians first.

The trend shows increasing numbers of women and Gen Z nomads, many leveraging AI-powered freelancing opportunities. While technology advancement is positive, we must ensure Zambians have first access to these opportunities in our own country.

Protecting Zambian Sovereignty

Countries implementing these schemes often increase tax and compliance requirements on remote workers, creating complex bureaucratic systems that favor the wealthy and connected. This is exactly the kind of neo-colonial economic structure that independent African nations should reject.

Instead of rolling out red carpets for foreign digital elites, Zambia should focus on developing our own citizens' digital skills and creating opportunities for Zambian remote workers to thrive globally while remaining rooted in their homeland.

The rise of remote work should empower Zambians to compete globally from Lusaka, Ndola, and Kitwe, not create privileged spaces for foreign workers in our communities.