By Gauteng has taken its Global Business Services (GBS) value proposition directly to the international market, showcasing the province’s economic scale, mature digital infrastructure, and skilled talent pool at the 20th Shared Services and Outsourcing Global Business Services Week (SSOW) Autumn 2026 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Running from 20 to 22 October 2026, the provincial delegation—led by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) in partnership with the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)—is using the premier global platform to drive investment, boost service exports, and create sustainable jobs.
Capitalising on Global Recognition and Strategic Advantages
The international push comes at a watershed moment for South Africa’s outsourcing sector. In September 2026, South Africa was crowned Delivery Destination of the Year at the Global Sourcing Association Awards in London. This prestigious accolade has significantly strengthened the credibility and growth trajectory of South Africa’s emerging outsourcing operators.
For Gauteng, as the country’s largest provincial economy, the timing aligns with a broader structural shift in international business. As global enterprises reconsider their operating models in search of cost efficiencies and high-value skills, offshoring and near-shoring have taken centre stage.
Gauteng is strategically positioned to capture this demand through a compelling economic value proposition:
- World-Class Talent: A diverse, adaptable workforce featuring first-degree graduates, digitally skilled professionals, and youth entering the sector via impact-sourcing initiatives.
- Exceptional Language Proficiency: High English proficiency scores bolster its international competitiveness, with Gauteng recording a regional score of 605, alongside Johannesburg and Pretoria scoring 607 and 608 respectively on the Education First English Proficiency Index.
- Mature Ecosystem: A well-established customer experience and contact centre infrastructure capable of handling complex business process outsourcing (BPO) and technology-enabled services.
“We want global companies to see Gauteng not only as a cost-effective destination, but as a strategic partner for innovation, growth and long-term business expansion,” said Gauteng Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa.
Empowering Emerging Enterprises and Youth Employment
Central to Gauteng’s mission at SSOW 2026 is the empowerment of local businesses. Supported by the dtic’s Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS), 10 emerging Gauteng-based enterprises have been integrated into the delegation.
This enables them to pitch to international clients, forge strategic partnerships, and break into foreign markets.
This export-driven enterprise development operates under the banner of the Vul’amathuba initiative—a GDED framework designed to connect Gauteng residents and local businesses with employment, rigorous skills training, enterprise support, and tangible economic opportunities.
“Our participation at SSOW 2026 is about translating this value proposition into tangible investment, export opportunities and sustainable jobs for the people of Gauteng, particularly our young people,” MEC Ramokgopa noted.
Pitching to the World: The Gauteng Investor Seminar
As part of its intensive engagement schedule in Amsterdam, the Gauteng Provincial Government is hosting a dedicated Gauteng Investor Seminar on 21 October 2026.
The high-level seminar brings together global industry leaders, prospective investors, senior policymakers, and participating operators to examine the province’s economic architecture. Key focal points of the seminar include:
- Strategic Connectivity: Showcasing Gauteng’s strategic location as a gateway to broader African and international markets.
- Regulatory Clarity: Outlining the streamlined investment facilitation mechanisms, institutional backing, and government incentives available to incoming firms.
- Peer Insights: Presenting first-hand testimonials from existing international investors detailing their operational journeys and expansion pathways within Gauteng.
Building a Globally Competitive Economy
By merging talent, advanced technology, and competitive operational overheads, Gauteng is projecting a clear message to the international business community: the province is open for business, globally competitive, and ready to partner with forward-looking enterprises.
Ultimately, the province’s strategy extends past immediate capital inflows. By cementing its status as a premier GBS hub in Africa, Gauteng is laying the economic groundwork to empower local enterprises, generate meaningful employment for youth, and secure sustainable, long-term growth on the global stage.
