A graduate with website development skills can approach a business, offer to design and build its website, and earn money from the assignment without necessarily becoming an employee of that company.
This is one of the ways young Zambians are turning their professional skills into income-generating opportunities through freelancing.
Freelancing involves providing services to different clients on a contractual basis rather than working permanently for a single employer.
In Zambia, young people are increasingly offering services such as website development, graphic design, writing, photography, video editing and digital marketing to businesses and individuals seeking specialised skills.
According to the 2024 Labour Force Survey Report by the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats), the country had 587,876 unemployed people.
The unemployment rate among young people aged between 19 and 34 stood at 18.4%, highlighting the difficulties many young Zambians face in securing formal employment.
Against this background, freelancing is emerging as an alternative through which graduates and other skilled young people can earn a living.
One university graduate explained that he had been approaching companies and offering to develop websites for them. Through such assignments, he is able to generate income by putting into practice the skills he acquired through formal education.
Freelancers secure assignments by approaching businesses directly or registering on online platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, which connect service providers with clients locally and internationally.
These digital marketplaces have widened opportunities for skilled Zambians, enabling them to compete for work beyond their immediate geographical locations.
Businesses are equally benefiting from this arrangement. Rather than employing permanent staff for every specialised task, companies can engage freelancers whenever particular services are required.
For instance, a small business in Kabwata, Lusaka, can contract a video editor based on the Copperbelt to produce advertisements for its social media platforms without creating a permanent employment position.
This arrangement gives businesses access to specialised expertise while helping them manage staffing and operational costs.
For young people who have struggled to find formal employment, freelancing provides an opportunity to gain practical experience, develop professional relationships and build a portfolio of completed assignments.
It also offers flexibility, allowing individuals to organise their working schedules and, depending on the nature of their assignments, operate from home.
Another attraction is the possibility of working with international clients and receiving payments in foreign currencies.
However, actual earnings vary according to the availability of assignments, negotiated rates, platform charges and the expenses involved in delivering the services.
Despite its potential, freelancing is not without challenges. Unlike formally employed workers who receive regular salaries, freelancers must constantly look for clients, negotiate contracts, agree on payment terms, meet deadlines and follow up on outstanding payments.
They must also meet their own operational expenses, including computers, electricity and internet connectivity.
Unreliable internet services can interrupt communication with clients and delay the submission of completed work. Competition is another obstacle, particularly for beginners who have not yet established a strong portfolio or accumulated positive reviews.
There is also the risk of fraudulent job offers and clients who disappear without paying for services rendered.
Consequently, securing occasional assignments should not be confused with having a dependable source of income. Success in freelancing requires practical skills, professionalism, reliable delivery and effective communication.
Building a reputation that attracts repeat business takes time, especially for young people entering the market without established professional networks.
Freelancing may not replace formal employment, nor does it guarantee financial security. Nevertheless, it provides young Zambians with another avenue to apply their knowledge, develop their careers and earn an income while helping businesses access services they need.
As the economy becomes increasingly digital, reliable internet connectivity, relevant digital skills and secure payment systems will be essential in expanding these opportunities.
For many young Zambians, freelancing represents more than an alternative to unemployment; it is an opportunity to turn their abilities into productive economic activity.
By Nathan Meleki