Johannesburg, 26 November 2024 – There are estimated to be between 30 and 40 million digital nomads worldwide, according to global non-profit youth travel industry membership specialist WYSE Travel Confederation.

What is significant is less the number (however impressive) than when the trend of working remotely from different parts of the world took off.

According to research by American contingency workforce provider MBO Partners, in the US alone, digital nomadism grew from 7.3 million people in 2019 to almost 17 million in 2024.

The arrival of the pandemic and the corresponding rise of remote work propelled a massive shift in people’s mindsets. They realised they could do their jobs from anywhere on the planet while enjoying a flexible work-life balance that allowed them to explore new cultures and experiences.

Some, like travel blogger Inma Gregorio, have been traversing the globe for 15 years. At one point, Canada, the US, Germany, Portugal, France, the UK, Morocco, and Hungary served as his home base.

Of course, the digital nomad movement is highly dependent on digital connectivity. Whether working from a beachside café or a mountaintop cabin, digital nomads need the right tools to stay online. Here are four essential hacks to help nomads thrive while working abroad.

Computer backups

Working in a foreign land is exciting, but every country has its risks associated with crime. This is why it is so essential for digital nomads to back up their computers at least once a week, either to the cloud or onto an external hard drive that you don’t keep on you. A laptop or desktop is a working traveller’s bread and butter, and having devices “disappear” will incur the loss of important files and documents, not to mention essential connectivity. You might want to make sure you’re insured as well.

eSIMs 

eSIM technology has revolutionised connectivity by embedding a programmable SIM directly into devices, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. Some of the world’s biggest content creators swear by them

Penelope Bielckus, better known as “The Flyaway Girl,” has travelled to Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece, France, and the UK in the past few months. Before eSIMs became available, she had an entire purse dedicated to SIM cards worldwide

“When I finally got a phone that supported eSIMs and tried one, I was immediately converted. The ease of installing it on your phone without needing to replace the physical SIM card and then worrying about misplacing your usual SIM card is incredible. You don’t need to find a store to purchase a SIM card at your destination.

Global eSIM service provider KnowRoaming recently launched its best-ever Global Unlimited eSIM plans (3-Day Plan ($7.99), 5-Day Plan ($11.99), 10-Day Plan ($22.99) or 15-Day Plan ($34,99) for travellers who want high-speed data on demand.

For the best experience, opt for a dual-SIM phone or one with multi-eSIM capabilities. These devices let you effortlessly switch between eSIM profiles, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity anywhere.

Power banks

Staying connected often means charging your device, so carrying a power bank will ensure your device has enough battery life.

Work emergencies are not limited to the office and must be dealt with immediately, even if nomads work from a tropical beach bar. The ideal power bank for working travellers can offer five or more charges. The best ones can support both cell phones and laptops.

However, there is a slight caution: power banks are not allowed in checked baggage at airports, given fears about battery discharge.

But even carrying one in hand luggage can be a problem in some countries, which apply different size limits. Digital nomads should always check airport security policies ahead of time.

Use apps offline

Using offline apps like Google Maps ensures nomads stay connected to critical information even when internet access is spotty. However, offline maps, such as traffic conditions, might not include real-time updates.

Another great offline app is Apache OpenOffice Portable, which offers a word processor, spreadsheets, and even a slideshow creator. It allows users to stay connected to their work responsibilities without being connected to the internet. And because it is portable, no installation is necessary. This is fantastic for people on the move.

Meanwhile, for those in the number-crunching game, the Chrome app Unit Converter enables nomads to convert units of measurement to what they require.