Not all "remote" companies are created equal. While many traditional enterprises restrict remote hiring to their domestic borders, a growing cohort of remote-first and remote-global companies hire top talent anywhere in the world.
Here are 15 established international organizations that actively employ remote team members living in Kenya and East Africa.
1. Automattic (WordPress.com, Tumblr, WooCommerce)
Automattic is a pioneer of fully distributed work. With over 2,000 employees spread across 90+ countries, Automattic hires customer advocates (Happiness Engineers), software developers, product designers, and marketing experts across all timezones.
- Typical Roles: Customer Support (Happiness Engineers), PHP/JavaScript Developers, System Administrators.
- Perks: Home office allowance, open vacation policy, annual global company retreats.
2. GitLab
GitLab is one of the world's largest all-remote organizations. They publish their entire company handbook online and hire across Africa via Employer of Record (EOR) partners.
- Typical Roles: Backend Engineers (Ruby, Go), Technical Writers, DevOps Engineers, Security Specialists.
- Perks: Competitive USD compensation, flexible hours, continuous learning stipend.
3. Canonical (Ubuntu Linux)
Canonical employs team members across hundreds of countries, with significant representation across Africa. They operate largely asynchronously and hire engineers, technical writers, and operations specialists.
- Typical Roles: Linux Kernel Engineers, Cloud Operations, Technical Sales, QA Engineers.
4. Superside
Superside is a subscription design service powering companies like Amazon, Salesforce, and Shopify. They recruit heavily across Kenya for graphic designers, motion designers, copywriters, and project managers.
- Typical Roles: Creative Project Managers, Brand Designers, Video Editors, Account Managers.
5. Modus Create & Toptal
Both organizations operate global talent networks connecting vetted developers, UI/UX designers, and consultants with enterprise clients in North America and Western Europe.
Key Takeaways When Applying to Global Remote Companies
When applying to these organizations:
- Tailor your application directly to the job description using targeted keywords.
- Showcase previous experience collaborating across remote timezones.
- Prepare for asynchronous hiring stages, including take-home assignments or recorded Loom video introductions.
Browse our Software Developer Remote Jobs and Customer Support Remote Jobs to see live listings open to Kenya right now.