BPESA to host pivotal Global Business Services (GBS) Conference to drive sustainable job creation in South Africa

As South Africa navigates an uncertain global environment, this year’s BPESA GBS and BPO Conference is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future impact of the country’s Global Business Services sector.

Taking place in Durban from 3–5 November 2025, this flagship event will bring together local and international delegates, investors, and thought leaders to reaffirm and future-proof South Africa’s global value proposition.

“At a time when investor confidence and sustainable growth are top priorities, the GBS Investor conference provides a vital platform for robust dialogue among policy-makers and industry players on enhancing sector resilience, attracting foreign direct investment, and driving inclusive job creation, especially for South Africa’s youth,” says BPESA CEO, Reshni Singh.

“The Global Business Services (GBS) sector is helping to solve the unemployment crisis in our country. Our goal is to create 500 000 cumulative jobs, particularly for youth, by 2030, as part of the dtic’s Global Business Services (GBS) Masterplan.  To achieve this, we need to continue driving global interest to our shores, developing essential infrastructure and promoting a diverse, skilled workforce to ensure sustained industry growth,” says Singh.

With IMPACT as its theme, the conference will focus on four priority areas to create measurable, positive outcomes across the GBS sector, the broader economy, and society.

1. Job Creation & Skills Development: Exploring initiatives to deliver sustainable employment opportunities for South Africans, particularly young people, drawing on the sector’s proven track record in tackling youth unemployment.
2. Sector Competitiveness & Investment Growth: Debating policy and regulatory reforms that position South Africa as a top-tier destination for global outsourcing, ensuring long-term competitiveness amid global uncertainty.
3. AI Integration & Human-Centred Innovation: Addressing the transformative power of artificial intelligence across the GBS sector and advancing strategies for responsible, inclusive adoption that amplifies human skills rather than replacing them.
4. Global Brand Positioning & National Collaboration: Developing a unified strategy and areas of collaboration to position South Africa as the most reliable, resilient and rewarding GBS destination in the world

Sessions will focus on practical ways to strengthen investor confidence, accelerate digital transformation, and build a high-skilled workforce ready for the future of work.

The BPESA GBS Alchemy Awards ceremony, an important part of the three-day event, will honour excellence and celebrate champions in the sector, further showcasing South Africa’s talent and innovation.

Between 2019 and 2024 the international GBS sector in South Africa added an impressive 115 000 number jobs to the economy, with USD 1.87 billion generated in export revenue during the period, driven by significant investment from global players outsourcing  (offshoring) business services or operations to South Africa in recent years, as highlighted in the BPESA National Value Proposition report launched in March 2025.

According to a recent survey conducted by global recruitment agency Robert Walters, 60% of business leaders ranked South Africa as the most attractive country for offshoring, surpassing countries like India (10%), the Philippines (10%), and Eastern Europe (19%).

Notes to editors

About Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA)

Recognised as the national industry body for the GBS sector, the purpose of BPESA, a non-profit entity, is to promote trade and serve the interests of its members and numerous stakeholder groups involved in the development, growth, and sustainability of the Global Business Services (GBS) sector in South Africa.

BPESA is committed to fostering an environment conducive to the growth and success of the GBS sector, ensuring its members and stakeholders benefit from a thriving and sustainable industry. Website: www.bpesa.org.za

About the Global Business Services Sector

Global Business Services (GBS) and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing)  are used interchangeably and refer to the outsourcing of services to a third-party service provider, sometimes located in another country. BPESA focuses on the GBS/BPO international profile with a mandate to attract international investment and create an enabling ecosystem for sector development.

South Africa presents a compelling business case for international operators with compatible time zones, sophisticated infrastructure, reliable IT environment and access to a large skills pool of entry level to graduate skills. This sector has been recognised since at least 2005 as a priority growth sector because of its ability to attract foreign investment and create jobs.

Servicing the local market is a key part of the broader value proposition and builds expertise and skills that feed the international operations.

There is a vast range of GBS / BPO operations across sectors and disciplines, as well as a distinction between outbound and inbound operations.

About the Global Business Services (GBS) Masterplan

Officially launched in 2022, the Global Business Services (GBS) Masterplan is a detailed blueprint and country strategy to create 500,000 cumulative international-servicing jobs in the sector by 2030. The masterplan was commissioned by South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and its national investment promotion agency, InvestSA, with BPESA (Business Process Enabling South Africa), Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator and other stakeholders as signatories.

Issued by Aprio on behalf of BPESA

For media enquiries please contact: 

BPESA: Nazley Salie:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Mobile: +27 66 336 6483 Aprio: Cecilia Pinto-Taylor: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mobile:+2783 325 9169