South Africa is rapidly emerging as a leading destination for global offshoring and shared services, with 60% of global business leaders ranking it as the most attractive location for setting up offshore operations, according to new research from talent solutions firm Robert Walters.
The country has overtaken traditional offshoring giants like India (10%), the Philippines (10%), and Eastern Europe (19%), thanks to its highly skilled, English-speaking workforce, strong infrastructure, and time zone alignment with major global markets.
Offshoring, relocating business operations to other countries to cut costs and boost efficiency, has become a core strategy for many international companies. While access to skilled talent (41%) and retained earnings (39%) remain top global motivators, South Africa offers added advantages in agility, language proficiency, and business service capabilities.
Key growth sectors driving South Africa’s appeal include Technology and IT, which account for 53% of new offshored roles, followed by Finance and Accounting (20%), Customer Support (18%), and HR and Recruitment (9%).
“We’re seeing a strong pipeline of international businesses establishing operations in South Africa, particularly in tech and support functions,” said Samantha-Jane Gravett, Director at Robert Walters Africa. “South Africa offers an agile, highly capable workforce that aligns well with global business hours and standards.”
Beyond economic efficiency, offshoring is also reshaping global job dynamics. About 63% of leaders surveyed believe it encourages upskilling in home markets, while 23% say it contributes to global job competition, reflecting the growing mobility and competitiveness of global talent.
As companies continue to digitise operations and refine their workforce strategies, South Africa is positioning itself as a strategic hub for building resilient and efficient global service models. The trend towards offshoring and nearshoring is expected to accelerate, with South Africa well-placed to capitalise on this shift.
Written By Rodney Mbua.
