ABSTRACT
I argue in this chapter that Africa can expand its participation in the outsourcing of jobs related to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) if prompt and appropriate measures are taken to improve the continent’s business environment. Though some of the 54 African countries have begun attracting some outsourced jobs, there are indications that more could be achieved if existing constraints are removed. Some of these constraints include low levels of scientific and technological development, inadequate material resources to support ICTs, the low status of technical education (in fields such as technical documentation and business communication), and lack of a reliable labor pool. The Outsourcing Institute projected in 2004 that the overall outsourcing market (including U.S.-based jobs outsourced to other countries) would grow to $234 billion by 2005. African countries must not miss the chance to profit from this growth because they already have the potential to maximize productivity in outsourcing.
