Advisory
Why South Africa is the outsourcing destination of choice for UK businesses
UK outsourcing has emerged as a solution to the challenge many businesses are facing when looking for affordable software development.
Realm Digital
3 min read
The UK is home to some of the world’s leading technology businesses. Despite this, many UK businesses still lag behind when it comes to their software development. This is largely due to the high cost of hiring in-house developers and the lack of skilled developers available. The impact this has had on businesses has been significant, with some estimates suggesting that the UK’s software development deficit could be costing the economy up to £63 billion a year. UK Outsourcing has emerged as a solution to this challenge.
The benefits of UK outsourcing software development
According to studies conducted by KPMG, among organisations that outsource app development, 34% are increasing the percentage of work outsourced over the previous year. Combining this with a USD market value of 520.74 billion, it’s clear that IT services outsourcing is here to stay.
Some of the reasons indicating their preference for outsourcing were to:
Leading UK outsourcing destinations
The top 5 outsourcing destinations in 2022 were:
Although the lower cost is always appealing, businesses need to be careful not to base their whole decision on price when selecting an outsourcing destination. They need to ensure that the quality of the work is not compromised and that they have a good working relationship with their chosen provider.
Why UK outsourcing should consider South Africa for their software development
McKinsey has voted South Africa the second most attractive Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) location in the world for three years in a row. This is based on its reputation as a reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality destination for outsourced business services.
Along with this, there are several other reasons why South Africa has become one of the leading outsourcing destinations in the world:
1. No language barriers
English is one of the official languages of South Africa. Other English-speaking foreign companies have no language difficulties working with South African partners.
2. Resource availability
South Africa has a large pool of highly skilled and experienced software developers, ensuring you will find the skills you need.
3. Favourable exchange rate
The South African Rand is currently very favourable for companies doing business in GBP or USD, making it an affordable offshoring destination.
4. Agile time zones
South Africa is only one hour ahead, so a UK-based client can easily stay in touch with their development team without needing complicated scheduling.
5. Creative and hardworking culture
South Africans are known for their creative and innovative approach to problem-solving. This means that they can bring fresh ideas and perspectives to your project.
6. Innovation hub
Cape Town has become a major tech start-up investment hub. This is due to the city’s strong ecosystem of support, its diverse talent pool, and its favourable cost of living. There are numerous co-working spaces, accelerators, and incubators. This has seen a strong migration of excellent South African talent to the city.
Factors to consider when selecting a South African outsourcing partner
Although South Africa offers many advantages as an offshoring destination, it is important to select your provider carefully. As with any business relationship, you must ensure that you have a good working rapport with your chosen provider.
Additionally, you need to ensure that they have the necessary skills and experience to meet your project’s requirements. When requesting quotes, be sure to ask for examples of similar work that they have completed.
Finally, it is important to check that your chosen provider has a good reputation. You can do this by reading reviews and testimonials from their previous clients.
South Africa is a great destination for businesses looking to augment their team with offshore developers. With the right planning and execution, your project can be successfully delivered by a talented and cost-effective development team in South Africa. If you would like help setting up a development team in South Africa, reach out to us – we’d be happy to assist!
