Industry players see Uganda’s potential as top BPO destination
KAMPALA, UGANDA — Key players in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector believe Uganda’s young, educated workforce positions the country to become a top BPO destination.
Diana Nandagire, Director of Entrepreneurship at the Makerere University Business School (MUBS), notes that Uganda’s BPO sector can grow significantly due to lower labor costs than other BPO service providers worldwide. She also mentioned Ugandans’ proficiency in English as a key advantage.
“Most of these companies that outsource these processes are dealing with clients that speak English. Ugandans can speak English well. So, in that way, I can say that as a country, we have the opportunity,” Nandagire stated.
However, Nandagire pointed out the need to prepare Uganda’s tech-savvy youth for the BPO sector, a task already underway at MUBS.
She also emphasized the need to market Uganda as a preferred BPO destination while improving infrastructure and lowering Internet costs.
Hareesh Sahadevan, managing director of Emvigo Technologies Africa and BPO Services, added that the perception of BPO services in Uganda has improved since they began in 2018.
“There is potential for Uganda which the entire world is looking at. We have also showcased our capabilities outside Uganda and Uganda as well. With time things will change,” Sahadevan stated.
On the other hand, Uganda Association Chairperson Rogers Karebi warned of risks associated with BPO, including maintaining peace and stability to attract buyers.
To position Uganda as a top BPO destination, Karebi revealed that they have already organized a conference in September inviting global BPO associations and stakeholders from Kenya, South Africa, India, and other leading BPO countries, to give Ugandans snippets of how to grow BPO sector.
In addition to these measures, efforts are made to sensitize local buyers and increase domestic demand for BPO.
Nandagire revealed that the BPO Council is working with Uganda’s ICT ministry to develop a policy to promote trade, create an enabling environment for BPO, and attract foreign clients to establish centers in the country.
