Zimbabwe eyes BPO growth to boost service exports

Government says it is positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive destination for Business and Knowledge Process Outsourcing as part of efforts to diversify the economy and expand service exports.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the country was leveraging its young skilled workforce, improving digital infrastructure and targeted fiscal incentives to attract investment into the outsourcing sector.

Speaking at a BPO breakfast forum organised by the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency in Harare, Ncube said the sector forms part of government’s broader strategy to transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

“The development of the BPO sector is a catalytic intervention under our economic transformation agenda as we transition to a diversified, export-oriented and digitally competitive economy,” he said.

Authorities say the sector has the potential to generate employment for thousands of young graduates while earning foreign currency through services exported to global markets.

Deputy Finance Minister David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa said government had introduced a special economic zone framework specifically designed to support the growth of the outsourcing industry.

“This framework provides the operational structure required to translate policy intent into a thriving Business and Knowledge Process Outsourcing ecosystem,” he said.

The BKPO Special Economic Zone framework is expected to provide tax incentives, infrastructure support and regulatory facilitation aimed at attracting international outsourcing firms.

Analysts say Zimbabwe has potential to compete in the global outsourcing industry due to its high literacy rate, strong English proficiency and growing ICT talent pool, although challenges such as internet costs, power reliability and infrastructure gaps remain key constraints.