KAMPALA – The Ugandan government has officially launched the National Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Policy, aimed at positioning the country as a leading outsourcing destination in Africa. The policy, curated by the National BPO Council under the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, seeks to create employment opportunities, enhance digital skills, and attract international investment into the sector.
“Today, we’re launching the National BPO Policy and a complementary campaign to promote Uganda’s Business Process Outsourcing industry,” announced
Mr. Ambrose Ruyooka, Assistant Comissioner, Research and Development, at the Ministry of ICT explained that the BPO policy, approved by the cabinet last quarter, provides a strategic framework to promote the industry, create employment opportunities, and stimulate the acquisition of services from local BPO companies by both public and private sectors.
“Unlike before, when BPO was seen as only for private sector companies, we’re now opening it up to government and public companies. This policy demonstrates our commitment to evidence-based policymaking and aligns with the government’s strategic objectives,” he said during the launch event at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.
According to him, their research highlights the immense potential of the BPO industry to drive economic growth, noting that the global market is expanding rapidly, driven by cost reduction, access to skilled labor, and technological advancements.
“Uganda’s strategic location and English-speaking workforce position us well for the BPO industry. We’ve factored these advantages into the policy, which aims to create employment opportunities, increase workforce efficiency, and generate non-tax revenue.”
Ruyooka notes that by 2030, they expect to create over 100,000 specialist jobs in areas like call centers and back-office services. “We’re also focused on enhancing skilled labor for the BPO sector, enabling us to produce digital products for the global market.”
Prof. William Bazeyo, Chairman of the BPO Council, Uganda, emphasized the significance of the policy, highlighting its potential to create employment opportunities and drive economic growth.
“This policy is a vital strategic framework that will regulate and promote the BPO industry, creating employment opportunities and driving economic growth.”
He explained that Uganda’s BPO industry has been in operation for a long time but lacked effective management and facilitation. “With this policy, we expect significant changes.”
Unlike many countries, Prof. Bazeyo says Uganda’s government supports the BPO industry, providing a competitive edge. “With cost-effective operations, businesses can thrive and expand.”
“Uganda boasts several competitive advantages. Our English proficiency is higher than in many other countries, including India. We have a large, well-trained, and youthful workforce, with an average age of 14.96 years. Our time zone allows for collaboration with both American and Asian markets. Our workforce is well-trained, with many accredited institutions producing skilled graduates. We offer cost-effective operations, with opportunities for internet penetration and reduced internet costs. The government supports the BPO industry, providing a competitive edge. We prioritize security, protecting both lives and data,” he noted.
With this policy in place, Prof. Bazeyo expressed confidence that Uganda will become a leading player in the global BPO market, noting that the global BPO market is growing rapidly, projected to reach $525.3 billion by 2030. “We believe Uganda can capture a significant share of this market.”
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister of ICT and National Guidance, officiated the launch, emphasizing Uganda’s competitive advantages in the BPO industry. He stressed that companies outsource services for various reasons, including cost reduction, freeing up time to focus on core business aspects, and improving efficiency.
“The BPO industry is growing globally, and Uganda is well-positioned to benefit from it.”
According to him, Uganda has a demographic advantage, with a large youthful population. “While other countries face aging populations and low fertility rates, Uganda has a vibrant and educated workforce. We boast over 50 universities, producing many graduates every year.”
“Our labour costs are competitive, and we have a favourable time zone, allowing us to work with both American and Asian markets. We are committed to creating employment opportunities for our young people, and BPO is one way to achieve this,” he added.
However, the minister notes that there is an urgent need to address critical areas, including digital infrastructure, regulation, and capacity building in order to promote BPO industry.
“We need to enhance market access and look for opportunities for our young people. We will work with the private sector and other stakeholders to make these opportunities available.”
The policy aims to create over 100,000 jobs in the BPO sector, targeting Uganda’s youthful population. The government plans to integrate BPO-related skills training into university and technical institute programs to enhance digital skills.
With the launch of the National BPO Policy, Uganda is poised to become a major player in Africa’s outsourcing industry, driving economic growth and creating job opportunities for its youthful population.
“We will aggressively market and publicize our BPO policy, showcasing Uganda as a prime destination for BPO investments. We believe that with this policy, we can create employment opportunities, drive economic growth, and position Uganda as a leading player in the global BPO market,” concluded Minister Baryomunsi.
