Work in Sub-Saharan Africa...

[larson]

Hello all,

I'm new to this forum, and contracting. I did a search for information regarding working in Africa, but unfortunately couldn't find the information I was after.

Basically I believe I may have an opportunity to work in Sub-Saharan Africa, multiple locations, but am slightly worried by a couple of things. It would be around a six month contract, and other information such as flights back to the UK and what-not have not been revealed yet by the agency. They seem very slow on the whole thing. The rate is around £300 per day, but I would be willing to take this, even if it seems low to some of the old timers here, as I believe the benefits would be large - assuming my torso is still in a non-hostage situation and I'm able to get back to the UK after it.

Firstly, assuming I would be contracting for a seemingly reliable large company, is Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole really so unstable? I got the feeling from research that it is the West Africa area that is undergoing strife yet again as of late. The FCO.gov.uk website does list some issues with certain countries, but as I do not know exactly where I would be going yet, I cannot search deeper.

I'm relatively young for a contractor, but feel this would really boost my confidence and skills in my area of expertise - networking - and am less worried about using an umbrella company and the other tax implications of being away, than being killed by some unsavory party if the area happens to be particularly bad.

I'm outside Europe at the minute, and have been for nearly six months, so I believe I would not be liable for tax in the UK, but as I mentioned, that is minor compared to my concern regarding the region.

If anybody can provide any information, no matter how basic, I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks,
Larson

[Fred Bloggs]

Sorry but for me much of Africa is just too risky for £300 a day.

[Moscow Mule]

I went to a couple of spots in Africa when I was a permie. It was a good learning experience.

Lesotho was pretty cool, bank put us up in an apartment with our own guard and the guy I was working with had been there for a few weeks previous so knew were to get a drink & a meal and a reliable taxi.

Malawi (Lilongwe) was ok too, but I was only there for few days. Hotel was like something out of a 1960s porno movie and it rained - a lot. My driver had a sidearm and an ak-47 in the boot, which was fun...

Didn't like Joburg. Constantly on edge, even in a big western hotel.

[Spacecadet]

A couple of mates of mine have worked in Africe with oil companies.
They loved it!

Very cheap booze, good atmosphere between the workers and everything they needed was taken care of

Edit: When I say the worked with Oil Companies, it was proper oil work, none of this IT stuff

[cojak]

I was contacted to do some training work in Africa, I tried to organise it but when I went to a training company whom I knew did work over there, they told me that there was a lot of hassle (changing spec & requirements, asking for more than they paid for, etc) and they didn't get all the payment they'd invoiced for in the end.

As it was in the early stages I decided not to do it and passed them onto a company in South Africa...

[larson]

Thanks for the responses.

If things progress, and the areas mentioned seem to seem relatively safe, I will likely go for it.

Agent is very slow on this one, suspect it will turn to nothing.