Independent self-employment in light of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has become a comprehensive global culture that has changed the international labor market forever. The total number of self-employed workers worldwide is estimated at about 1.57 billion people out of a total global workforce of 3.38 billion people.
Most of them work through specialized international platforms for freelancing, such as Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, and others.
And I reached Market value Global freelancing platforms were worth $4.4 billion in 2022, and are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.5% until 2030.
Freelance platforms are marketplaces that connect companies with skilled and qualified freelancers.
Companies can use freelancing platforms to recruit a temporary workforce by searching for independent workers based on various factors such as experience, skill, required specialization, etc. Individuals who aspire to self-employment can also create their profile on the platform of their choice, contact employers, and present their talents and experiences to them. .
But are there specialized freelancing platforms for Arab youth, and in the Arab region, and what is the reality of the freelancing market in the Arab world and the extent of youth’s interest in it?
Independent freelance work is a preferred option
The Middle East and North Africa region, which includes the Arab countries, has quickly turned into a stronghold of independent freelance work among young people who have distinguished digital skills, which has made the freelance economy not just an alternative. Rather, it is a preferred way of working for these young people.
In a large survey that included more than 4,000 professionals from the Middle East and North Africa region, 9 out of 10 stated that freelancing is their current or future plan, especially when it comes to professions such as: online e-marketing, website creation, application development, and management. Social media platforms, graphic design, content writing and creation, translation, and many more.
For self-employed workers in the Arab world, the biggest drivers include:
- Earn additional income (55%).
- Adding new skills (24%).
- Doing what they like (11%).
- Ability to control their work schedule (7%).
There are many positives to this type of work that prompt young people to choose it as their lifestyle, perhaps the most prominent of which are:
- Independence in choosing projects that match their skills and interests.
- Freedom to set their own working hours.
- The ability to work from anywhere in the world, which gives them wide freedom to travel and discover new regions.
And when you combine the advantages of freelancing with the appeal of cities like Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Muscat, which have thriving startup ecosystems especially in sectors like fintech, edtech and digital media, the offer becomes even more attractive.
Most of these young people – if not most of them – work within specialized freelance platforms across the network, where they can find work that suits their talents, capabilities, experience, and professional and financial aspirations.
There are famous international platforms that many of these young people use, such as “Upwork,” “Fever,” “Freelancer,” and others, but in this report we will focus on the Arab work platforms that exist in the region and that focus on Arab youth, according to what was mentioned by a number of specialized sites and platforms such as Tech Magazine, Jobleek, andImagine That Creative“(Imagine that creative) and others.
Ureed platform…the most famous Arab platform for content creation
This was established Platform With entirely Arab hands in 2017, it is one of the most famous platforms in the Middle East and North Africa region. The platform has witnessed strong growth, doubled its size, and expanded its scope beyond borders. It now employs more than 5,000 employees who work remotely in 10 countries, and is home to independent employees who work In more than 500 different specializations: writing and translation, video making and animation, marketing, programming, and others. Most of those registered are women. Their percentage reaches 55% of the total number of independent workers registered on the platform.
To start working on the Oored platform, all you have to do is register, create an attractive profile through which you showcase your talents, expertise, and experiences, and the specialty in which you excel most than others, and then start browsing the projects displayed on the platform, choose what suits you from them, and communicate with the person or entity that I offered to work and understand her through the platform.
The platform uses two methods to withdraw and transfer the money owed to you: direct bank transfer, or via PayPal, and the platform charges fees of up to 20%.
“Tasmeem ME” is a haven for Arab designers and creatives
This is considered Platform A haven for creative professionals in the Arab world, especially those who master the arts of designing websites and applications, creating logos, 3D models, animation, graphics, and others.
This site was launched in 2009 for part-time workers and then turned into a full-fledged platform by 2014.
Today, the “Tasmeemy” website is primarily known for its job board, where freelancers can browse a variety of creative projects and choose what suits them. It also connects freelancers with employers, and the site is also a center for education and professional development through a wide range of courses. The specialized training offered.
It should be noted that the “Tasmeemy” platform does not deal with payments, unlike some other freelancing platforms. It serves as a bridge between freelancers and clients, and leaves financial transactions and agreements to be managed externally.
“Khamsat”…the leading Arab market for freelance work
“Fives“It is one of the most famous freelance platforms in the Arab world, as it brings together young Arab talents who are ready to offer their services and talents and clients who are eager to buy these services.
Khamsat offers a variety of services at reasonable prices starting from only $5 or its equivalent in local currency.
You can provide various services on the Khamsat website, including data entry, legal services, web development, WordPress website design services, e-marketing, website analytics, SEO services, and distance training. Learn languages, translate, edit videos, and much more.
Khamsat provides a unique opportunity for Arab youth to earn a decent income while providing exceptional services to individuals and startups.
“Gate” (bawabba)… Don’t let the workload stop you
focus the gate Primarily based in the Arab Gulf countries, its slogan is: “Don’t let the workload stop you, find the right freelancer for your project in minutes.”
It is a platform for freelancing; Freelancers can provide more than 160 different types of services, such as photography, music, arts and crafts, writing, graphic design, legal consulting, architecture, programming, translation, maintenance, and entertainment.
The portal is easy and practical, and directly connects talents with clients, and the payment method is completely direct on the portal. Freelancers are paid per project, per hour, or per word, depending on the nature of the job, with payment made directly by clients.
The platform charges a fee of 20% for each transaction that is successfully closed. One of its disadvantages is that it does not bear any responsibility for disputes between the user and the client, which may represent a challenge, especially in the case of disputes between the freelancer and the client.
“Independent”… Empowering Arab independents
Independent It is one of the favorite platforms for many Arab freelancers, and represents a bridge between companies and project owners who are looking for skilled and professional independent workers to help them implement their projects.
Freelance categories cover a wide range of services and skills, including consulting, website and app development, engineering, video and audio design, digital marketing, content writing, translation, data entry, online training, and many more.
