Eastern Cape showcases its growing Global Business Services sector at BPESA conference

The Eastern Cape is strengthening its position as a competitive destination for Global Business Services (GBS), with a focus on attracting investment, expanding industry partnerships and creating employment opportunities for young people.

The province is participating in the annual South African GBS | BPO Conference and BPESA Alchemy Awards, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on 10 and 11 November 2026.

The conference brings together industry leaders, investors and service providers to explore opportunities in global outsourcing, digital services, artificial intelligence, skills development and youth employment.

For the Eastern Cape, the engagement provides an opportunity to showcase its capabilities, connect with potential investors and strengthen its value proposition as a GBS destination.

Under the provincial theme, “Where Ubuntu meets efficiency with global reach. Your BPO destination of choice”, the Eastern Cape highlights its people, established service providers, strategic investment zones and growing digital infrastructure as important assets in competing for a greater share of the global services market.

The province's potential is already reflected in the growth of the sector. According to BPESA, the Eastern Cape recorded 1,612 new GBS jobs in 2025, compared with 251 in 2024. This growth reinforces the importance of the industry as a source of employment, particularly for young people entering the labour market.

The government's commitment to developing the sector has also been demonstrated through direct engagement with industry. In May 2026, Eastern Cape Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism MEC, Ms Nonkqubela Pieters, led a provincial delegation to a Nelson Mandela Bay GBS roadshow, which included a roundtable and engagements with operators at the Coega BPO Park, Discovery, Startek, Teleperformance and Outworx.

The engagements focused on investment opportunities, infrastructure requirements, skills development and ways of supporting existing operators to expand their operations in the province. This was followed by the Eastern Cape Digital Economy Summit, hosted by DEDEAT and the East London Industrial Development Zone.

The province's value proposition is supported by strategic assets such as the Coega Special Economic Zone and the East London Industrial Development Zone, including investments in digital infrastructure and facilities intended to support further GBS operations.

MEC Pieters said the province recognises the sector's potential to contribute to economic growth and address youth unemployment.

“The growth of Global Business Services presents an important opportunity for the Eastern Cape. We are working with industry and our development agencies to create an enabling environment for investment, strengthen skills development and ensure that more young people can access opportunities in this growing sector.

The province’s participation in the conferences is an opportunity to build on the progress made, showcase what the province offers and strengthen partnerships that can translate into further investment and employment.

Through continued collaboration with BPESA, industry operators and provincial development agencies, the Eastern Cape aims to build on its existing industry presence and position itself as a competitive Tier 2 and Tier 3 GBS destination.