Uganda bets on BPO to power its growing digital economy
KAMPALA, UGANDA — Uganda is positioning itself as a rising hub for business process outsourcing (BPO), leveraging its young, educated workforce and expanding digital infrastructure to tap into the growing global demand for remote services.
In a recent episode of The Ugandan Podcast from the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance Uganda, government official and industry leader said BPO could not only create jobs for millions of young Ugandans but also generate foreign revenue without the need for migration.
Youth and skills drive Uganda’s BPO potential
“A contractual arrangement in which individuals or companies provide services without being full-time employees of the contracting organization,” said Amina Zawedde, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance.
She said the model allows businesses to operate efficiently while creating employment opportunities, particularly for youth.
Uganda’s population of about 46 million is over 70% youth, many with digital skills in areas like information technology (IT), fintech, and telemedicine. Zawedde highlighted the global demand for young workers in countries with aging populations, such as Japan.
“Ugandans speak very good English, and our equatorial time zone is [favorable]. It allows us to support the US and other foreign markets by effectively matching time differences,” Zawedde said.
The Ministry of ICT recently announced the launch of a BPO portal where young and enthusiastic professionals can register their skills for job matching.
Partnerships with international firms have already borne fruit; American company Helpware has employed over 600 Ugandans and aims to recruit 5,000 more.
Private sector and global firms boost Uganda’s BPO push
Private sector leaders are also driving Uganda’s BPO ecosystem. Hassan Saleh, CEO of MultiChoice Uganda, explained that the company relies on outsourced call centers, content production, and installation services.
“Digital enablement means creators no longer need to travel to Nairobi to pitch content. They can submit online, which has increased content volumes and helped identify new talent,” Saleh said.
MultiChoice employs nearly 300 people in call centers and works with over 500 independent installers dispatched digitally.
The government BPO programs of the Uganda Digital Transformation Roadmap exist as a five-year plan developed through digital infrastructure, digital services, cybersecurity, skilling and innovation.
A Business Process Outsourcing Policy approved in June 2024 and launched in February 2025 provides incentives and guidelines to attract both international and local participants.
Developing economies use their workforce capabilities and their digital infrastructure to establish business operations which serve international markets. The BPO initiative in Uganda shows this worldwide tendency which develops into a major pattern of the outsourcing sector.
Uganda has the potential to become an international BPO hub which demonstrates how economic development can be achieved through digital accessibility as it has a supportive government framework, a technology-oriented youth workforce and increasing business sector participation.
