A new freelance platform tailored for Nigerians is making its debut — and it wants to rewrite the rules. Hamzry, founded by Nanle Joel and Prince Agala, has launched with the goal of connecting Nigerian freelancers to a global client base while eliminating the common challenges they face on international platforms.
Already home to over 1,800 users, Hamzry positions itself as a homegrown alternative to popular sites like Fiverr and Upwork. Unlike these foreign platforms, which often require unavailable payment gateways such as PayPal, Hamzry allows direct transfers to Nigeria bank accounts, offering a more seamless and local-friendly system.
“They are buried under thousands of listings, lack early reviews, and face payment barriers that make receiving funds difficult,” said Nanle Joel, explaining why Hamzry was created. “Hamzry solves all of that by giving Nigerian talent their own marketplace.”
Solving Local Problems With a Global Mindset
Hamzry was first conceived during the 2021 pandemic lockdowns, when the co-founders — then based in Turkey — noticed their Nigerian peers struggling to find remote work. By the time many local freelancers joined existing platforms, competition had already made visibility a major hurdle.
Now, with categories ranging from writing and design to AI and virtual assistance, Hamzry opens up direct access to both international clients and Nigeria’s massive small business ecosystem. The country is home to over 39.6 million MSMEs, many of which lack a trusted online platform to hire skilled freelancers.
“Our vision is to empower local freelancers and serve the unmet demand from businesses within Nigeria and beyond,” said Prince Agala. The platform plans to generate over 100,000 jobs in three years, positioning itself as a major player in Africa’s entry into the global freelance economy.
As more Nigerian freelancers seek control over their payments, visibility, and client relationships, Hamzry might just offer the local-first solution they’ve been waiting for.
I am passionate about crafting stories, vibing to good music (and making some too), debating Nigeria’s political future like it’s the World Cup, and finding the perfect quiet spot to work and unwind.
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