Cape Town’s business process outsourcing (BPO) sector added 10,427 new jobs during the financial year from April 2024 to March 2025, according to City of Cape Town Economic Growth MMC, Alderman James Vos. This sector has become one of the city’s most dynamic job creators, contributing approximately R24 billion annually to the Western Cape economy—on par with tourism. In the same period, it attracted about R3.6 billion in new foreign direct investment.

Vos attributed this success to Cape Town’s focus on workforce readiness, particularly among youth. The city partners with CapeBPO, its dedicated industry body, to implement workforce development programmes. These include the CapeBPO Academy in Athlone and a training school initiative for Grade 12 learners, providing practical exposure to the BPO environment and easing entry into further training and eventual employment.

Vos emphasised that the city’s strong infrastructure, digital connectivity, and emphasis on getting foundational systems right make it an attractive investment destination. “Every one of these jobs represents not just a payslip, but the dignity of work,” he stated, highlighting the broader socioeconomic impact.

CapeBPO CEO Clayton Williams said the success demonstrated the value of public-private collaboration in creating scalable career opportunities. Acting as a bridge between the city and private operators, CapeBPO has played a crucial role in placing unemployed youth into stable employment through the sector.

International firms are increasingly choosing Cape Town due to the quality and readiness of its workforce—an asset that Vos describes as the city’s greatest competitive advantage.