Draft:Afriwork
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{{advert|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Afriwork
| type = Private
| industry = Freelancing, Online marketplace, HR tech
| founded = March 2018
| founders = Semegn Tadesse, Mikyas Atskemariam
| hq_location_city = Addis Ababa
| hq_location_country = Ethiopia
| key_people = Semegn Tadesse (CEO), Mikyas Atskemariam (CTO)
| products = Talent marketplace, HR SaaS tools, Escrow payments
| website = {{URL|https://afriworket.com}}
}}
Afriwork is an Ethiopia-based online marketplace and HR technology platform that connects freelancers, jobseekers, and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) across East Africa. Headquartered in Addis Ababa, the company operates a hybrid platform combining job matching tools with software-as-a-service (SaaS) HR solutions.
Overview
As reported by Jobtech Alliance and Shega, Afriwork’s Telegram-based system enables employers to receive candidate shortlists within minutes of posting jobs, significantly streamlining hiring for SMEs. By 2023, Afriwork had registered over 300,000 jobseekers, facilitated more than 70,000 job placements, and supported 50,000 SMEs across Ethiopia and neighboring countries. The platform has also been instrumental in extending job access to underserved regions and informal sectors, where traditional hiring platforms often fall short. Operating on a self-funded, break-even model, the platform has been noted for its approach to low-cost hiring and its use of messaging platforms to expand access to digital job services in emerging markets.
History
Afriwork was founded in March 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to address gaps in the local freelance and HR market. From the outset, the platform was designed as a hybrid SaaS and two-sided marketplace, accessible through web, mobile, and Telegram bots to maximize reach and ease of use. Its Telegram automation enables employers to receive candidate shortlists within 45 minutes after posting, significantly boosting efficiency for small businesses. Operating on a self-funded, break-even model, Afriwork monetizes through employer subscriptions and an escrow-based marketplace fee, targeting affordability for SMEs. The platform's rapid word-of-mouth growth—estimated at 90%—earned it recognition from Disrupt Africa, Today Africa, and The Founder Africa for its innovative approach to job matching in East Africa.
In October 2023, Afriwork announced its regional expansion strategy, extending its Telegram-based job portal services into Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with plans to broaden service categories such as creative and administrative roles.
Platforms and services
Afriwork operates as a multi-channel job platform connecting jobseekers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) via web, mobile, and Telegram-based tools. It uses a hybrid Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and marketplace model, offering job listings, application tracking, and employer dashboards. Interfaces are optimized for low-bandwidth conditions. Afriwork’s Telegram automation provides employers with candidate shortlists within minutes, streamlining hiring, as reported by Jobtech Alliance and Disrupt Africa. Its services include applicant tracking, candidate verification, and escrow payments for freelance contracts. Employers can access premium features like bulk job posting and analytics through subscription plans. Job categories include administrative, creative, and technical roles.
Impact and reach
Since its inception, Afriwork has demonstrated significant impact in the East African freelance and SME employment ecosystem. By 2023, the platform had amassed over 300,000 registered jobseekers and onboarded more than 50,000 SMEs, facilitating upwards of 70,000 successful job matches across various sectors.
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! Metric !! Value !! Source | ||
| Registered users | 300,000 | Disrupt Africa{{cite web
|title=Ethiopian talent marketplace Afriwork hits 300k user mark, supports 50k SMEs |website=Disrupt Africa |publisher=Disrupt Africa |date=21 November 2023 |url=https://disrupt-africa.com/2023/11/21/ethiopian-talent-marketplace-afriwork-hits-300k-user-mark-supports-50k-smes/ |access-date=21 June 2025}} |
| Small and medium‑sized enterprise clients | 50,000 | Disrupt Africa |
| Job matches facilitated | 70,000+ | Lucidity Insights |
Afriwork’s growth is attributed to its automation features, notably Telegram-based shortlisting, which reduce hiring time for SMEs and expand job access in underserved markets. This efficiency helps resource-limited businesses scale quickly and affordably. The platform supports youth employment and digital inclusion by offering accessible job matching to young professionals, especially in areas with limited internet or technical infrastructure.
Its regional expansion into Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda supports cross-border labor mobility and formalizes fragmented job markets. It also contributes to economic development by reducing unemployment and supporting SMEs.
Afriwork’s escrow and payment systems enhance trust in freelance transactions, ensuring secure delivery and timely compensation.
See also
References
External links
- [https://afriworket.com Official website]
{{Draft categories|
Category:Freelance marketplace websites
Category:Information technology companies of Africa
Category:Companies based in Addis Ababa
Category:Companies of Ethiopia
Category:Business services companies
Category:Companies established in 2018
Category:Privately held companies
Category:Internet properties established in 2018
}}
{{Drafts moved from mainspace|date=June 2025}}