South Africa’s fast-growing outsourcing industry is changing lives, opening doors for thousands of young professionals, and positioning the nation as a global hub for financial and business services. For 31-year-old accountant Esethu Dywili, the sector has been nothing short of life-changing. Once a young graduate with modest prospects, Dywili’s success in outsourced accountancy work has enabled him to build a new home for his parents and siblings in the Eastern Cape — a testament to how international business opportunities can transform entire families.
Working for South African firms that serve global clients, especially those in Europe and North America, Dywili earns a competitive salary that rivals what he might receive abroad. “When you work for a firm that earns its revenue in US dollars or British pounds, they can pay salaries you might never get working for a purely local company,” he says.
His story reflects the broader rise of South Africa’s outsourced services sector, which has become one of the most dynamic areas of the economy. From call centres to IT, auditing, finance, and data analytics, international companies are increasingly turning to South Africa for skilled, English-speaking professionals who deliver high-quality work at a lower cost.
With unemployment still hovering around 33%, one of the highest rates in the world, this sector is offering crucial opportunities for thousands of South Africans. The Western Cape government estimates that the outsourcing industry now contributes more than 35 billion rand ($2 billion) annually to the national economy and employs over 70,000 people in the province alone. Fifteen years ago, fewer than 2,000 people worked in offshore outsourcing roles — a staggering transformation.
Nezaam Joseph, a senior official in the Western Cape’s Department of Economic Development, explains that the government’s investment in training has been key. Through a subsidized program that offers 3,500 rand per month for trainees, more than 4,500 South Africans are trained each year, with 80% going on to secure full-time jobs. “We’ve added about 10,000 jobs last year and another 10,000 this year,” Joseph notes.
The appeal for international firms is clear. South Africa’s time zone aligns closely with Europe, and its workforce is well-educated, fluent in English, and known for its strong work ethic. “South Africans are go-getters,” says Simon Wheeler, a Durban-based chartered accountant. “We give 110% to everything, and now people can gain international experience without leaving the country.”
UK-based companies are leading the charge. Cooper Parry, a major British accountancy firm, began outsourcing to South Africa during the pandemic, partnering with local firms Makosi and PKF Octagon. Impressed by the results, the company opened its own office in the country, employing over 60 professionals, including Dywili and Wheeler. “They’re an extension of our UK teams,” says partner Gemma Edwards. “It’s not them and us — we’re one global team.”
The outsourcing boom isn’t limited to finance. UK call-centre company Ventrica, which serves global brands like McDonald’s and Clarks, opened operations in South Africa in 2022. Around 30% of its workforce is now based in the country, with plans to increase that to 40%. Chief executive Iain Banks says South Africa offers both cost efficiency and high-quality service, making it an attractive location for expanding operations.
However, challenges remain. Experts warn that South Africa’s education system may struggle to keep pace with the sector’s rapid growth. Senior economist Jee-A van der Linde cautions that skill shortages and regional disparities could limit expansion, especially in rural areas where internet access is unreliable. “You have your major hubs like Johannesburg and Durban, but there are gaps in how provinces manage business growth,” he says.
Despite these hurdles, optimism runs high. The Western Cape government is working closely with universities to align academic programs with industry needs, ensuring future graduates are ready for high-demand outsourcing roles. If successful, this could not only sustain the current boom but also raise salaries and living standards.
Yet as South Africa’s wages rise, analysts predict that other African nations — including Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Nigeria — could become the next frontiers for outsourcing. “It started with India, then moved to the Philippines, and now South Africa is booming,” says Banks. “Eventually, the industry will look further across Africa.”
For now, though, South Africa’s outsourcing sector is thriving — creating jobs, empowering youth, and changing the trajectory of countless families. As Dywili reflects on his journey from small-town beginnings to global finance, he embodies the promise of a new generation of South Africans ready to compete on the world stage. “Young people have felt demoralized by the lack of opportunities,” he says. “Now, we finally have a pathway to a brighter future.”
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