THE Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, one of Cape Town’s biggest economic success stories, created 10 427 new jobs between April 2024 and March 2025.

The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, Alderman James Vos, said this milestone represents a major boost for Cape Town’s economy and a clear sign that the City’s strategy for economic growth is delivering tangible results.

“It’s all about prioritising workforce development, preparing more Capetonians to be job-ready for this rapidly growing sector. That’s why the City, through our Economic Development and Investment Department, funds CapeBPO as our industry-focused business partner. Through initiatives like the CapeBPO Academy in Athlone, we are fostering strong, workable partnerships with the private sector to ensure we can continuously train, train, and train.

“When global companies select destinations for their operations, Cape Town stands out because we offer world-class connectivity and infrastructure  a skilled workforce,” said Alderman Vos.

The sector now contributes around R24 billion annually to the Western Cape economy, matching the impact of the tourism sector.

Furthermore, CapeBPO has implemented a variety of initiatives to prepare youth for future careers in the industry. One example is a training school programme designed for Grade 12 learners. This initiative allows young people to gain first-hand experience in how the BPO industry works, giving them a solid foundation and easing their transition into further training, and ultimately into full-time employment in this dynamic and growing sector.