President William Ruto has pitched Kenya as Africa’s next 'Global Business Services and Business Process Outsourcing hub', citing its young, skilled workforce, competitive costs and robust digital infrastructure, and urging South African and international investors to tap into the country’s expanding opportunities in the digital economy.
Speaking at the Joint South Africa-Kenya Business Forum in Johannesburg during a State Visit to South Africa at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ruto said Kenya is rapidly positioning itself as a preferred destination for global service delivery.
“Kenya is fast becoming a premier destination for Global Business Services and Business Process Outsourcing,” Ruto said, attributing the country's attractiveness to its educated, English-speaking workforce, competitive costs and strong digital infrastructure.
He noted that Kenya and South Africa are well-positioned to drive Africa’s digital transformation through collaboration in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, e‑commerce, and cross‑border payments.
“Kenya and South Africa are also poised to shape Africa’s digital future. Kenya leads the continent in fintech, mobile money, and digital financial inclusion while South Africa hosts one of Africa’s most sophisticated capital markets,” he said.
“Together, we can pioneer partnerships in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, e-commerce, and cross-border payments,” the head of state added.
Ruto used the forum to invite South African and multinational enterprises to establish a stronger presence in Kenya, saying the country offers an ecosystem that combines talent, technology and market access.
“I invite South African and multinational enterprises to make Kenya their regional Global Business Services hub, uniting talent, technology, and market access under one competitive ecosystem,” he said.
Beyond the digital economy, the President underscored the importance of infrastructure and connectivity in boosting intra-African trade. He pointed to the Port of Mombasa and the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor as strategic gateways linking East and Central Africa to global markets.
He said closer cooperation with South Africa's major ports and transport networks could strengthen trade corridors across the continent and support implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ruto further welcomed ongoing partnership discussions between Kenya Airways (KQ) and South African Airways, saying stronger aviation links would boost trade, tourism, investment and regional integration.
“I therefore urge the business leaders before me to convert the opportunities of this forum into concrete investments, joint ventures, and lasting commercial partnerships,” said Ruto.
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