Nigeria is home to numerous talents, including IT, content marketing, virtual assistance, and graphic design. Even with all this talent, many freelancers find it hard to get international clients who pay well and in stable currencies. If you want to learn how to find international clients as a Nigerian freelancer, this article will help.
Also read: Top financial tips for Nigerian freelancers entering the global market
No recruiter is looking to fork out money for an average talent who delivers mediocre results. International clients hire for results, and your location won’t matter if you can deliver them. Identify the skills in your area that are most desirable and hone them. Many freelancers strengthen their profiles with certifications, online courses, and personal projects that demonstrate competence. Employers rarely ask where you learned a skill; they care more about proof that you can deliver.
Platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, and Freelancer are often the first entry point for Nigerian freelancers. While competition is high, these platforms provide access to clients who are already open to hiring internationally. To succeed as a freelancer on global platforms, avoid generic proposals and focus on niche services. Tailor your proposals to each client’s needs and deliver exceptional results to impress your clients and get good reviews. Once reviews and ratings improve, attracting higher-paying clients becomes much easier.
Also read: Top sites to get international remote jobs in Nigeria
Some Nigerian freelancers avoid platforms and find clients on LinkedIn and other networking platforms. An optimised LinkedIn profile that explains what you do, who you help, and the results you get can attract recruiters and business owners. You can also reach out directly to startups, agencies, and companies that hire remote workers. Sending cold emails or messages takes patience, but it can pay off if you keep trying.
Also read: How to build a global personal brand from Nigeria
Evidence is proof of competence. International clients trust evidence. Nigerian freelancers stand out by curating portfolios, case studies, and live samples. Writers publish articles, designers share sample projects, developers contribute to GitHub, and marketers show metrics from past campaigns.
Remote work depends on community. By joining Slack groups, Discord servers, online forums, and virtual events, Nigerian freelancers can connect with global teams. Many job opportunities are shared in these spaces before they appear on job boards. Referrals from past clients or peers can also help you find your next client.
Payment is a big challenge for Nigerian freelancers. Some international clients worry about transfer delays or currency conversion problems. Having a reliable payment method helps you handle international payments better. With a multi-currency account like Grey, you can invoice clients in foreign currencies, and they can pay you in USD, GBP, or EUR.
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Nigeria is a budding market for talented freelancers. If you improve your skills, enhance your visibility, and position yourself well, you can join the many Nigerians earning from international clients, either through platforms or directly. For some, handling international payments remains a challenge in reaching their dream clients.
Grey helps Nigerian freelancers receive international payments, hold foreign currencies (USD, GBP, and EUR), and convert to naira when rates are favourable. This not only protects earnings but also makes you easier to work with you as a global professional. You can also link your Grey account with any global freelancing platform such as Upwork and Fiverr to receive your earnings without trouble.
Sign up for Grey today or download the app to manage your international payments easily.
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