Outsourcing labor has become a popular strategy for businesses looking to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and access specialized talent. In recent years, Africa has emerged as a leading outsourcing destination, thanks to its large pool of highly skilled developers, competitive rates, and growing reputation for high-quality work. A 2021 report by Africa Developer Ecosystem, released by Google and Accenture, noted that Africa had 716,000 professional developers which was a 3.8% rise from the 700,000 total population in 2020. 38% of these work for a company or company based outside the continent.
Another report by McKinsey, projects that Africa’s software development sector will generate $20 billion in annual revenue by 2025, with a workforce of over 3 million developers. The continent’s growing technology ecosystem, combined with its rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity, make it a compelling choice for businesses seeking to outsource development projects.
So, what exactly are the benefits of outsourcing developers from Africa, and what makes Africa the ideal pool of talent for quality software development?
A large pool of skilled developers
Africa has a large pool of highly skilled developers who possess the expertise to deliver top-notch software development solutions. As earlier stated, there are over 716,000 professional developers based in Africa, with 38% working for companies or clients outside the continent. This indicates that African developers have experience working with global brands, making them an excellent choice for businesses seeking to outsource development projects.
With the growth of improvement of the quality of education in Africa, more emphasis has been put on science and technology. Numerous universities and tertiary institutions are now offering courses in software development. As a result, the number of graduates with software development skills is increasing every year, adding to the talent pool available to businesses.
Many African developers have experience working with cutting-edge technologies and platforms and are therefore well-versed in the latest industry trends. This can be especially beneficial for businesses looking to develop complex software solutions or to implement emerging technologies, as African developers can bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table.
Cost saving without compromising on quality
Outsourcing software developers from Africa can help businesses reduce costs without sacrificing quality. While African developers typically charge lower rates than developers in other regions, they are known for delivering high-quality work that meets international standards. These cost savings can be attributed to a number of factors, including lower overhead costs, lower salaries, and favourable exchange rates.
Furthermore, outsourcing from Africa can also help businesses achieve greater flexibility and scalability. African developers are accustomed to working on a project-by-project basis, and can easily adjust their schedules and workloads to accommodate changing business needs. This can be particularly useful for businesses that experience fluctuations in demand, or for those looking to scale up or down quickly.
Time-zone advantage
One of the significant advantages of outsourcing software development to Africa is the time zone advantage. This means that businesses in other parts of the world can take advantage of the difference in time zones to get work done overnight. However, this advantage goes beyond just the difference in time zones.
Working with African developers can help businesses achieve an around-the-clock work cycle, allowing them to increase their efficiency and productivity. For instance, businesses in the US or Europe can assign a project to African developers at the end of their workday and receive the completed work by the time they resume work the next day.
This can help businesses save a significant amount of time in their development process, allowing them to speed up the time to review and make necessary changes. With faster product development cycles, businesses can stay ahead of their competition and meet the growing demands of their customers.
In addition, the time zone advantage can help businesses maintain a competitive edge in their respective markets. By working with African developers, businesses can leverage the difference in time zones to their advantage and achieve faster turnaround times, which can be a key differentiator in today’s fast-paced business environment.
Language diversity
One of the unique advantages of outsourcing software developers from Africa is fluency in commonly used Western languages like English, French etc. Further more, many African developers are multilingual or bilingual, which is an invaluable asset for businesses seeking language-specific software development solutions. In today’s global economy, it’s becoming increasingly important for businesses to have software solutions in different languages to cater to a diverse customer base.
Africa is a continent with over 2,000 languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the world. This means that African developers have a natural advantage when it comes to language skills, making them an excellent fit for businesses looking to develop software solutions in different languages.
Many African countries use languages like English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese as official state languages. This has resulted in African developers being fluent in multiple languages.
In addition to their language skills, African developers are well-versed in developing software for different cultures. This means they can easily incorporate cultural nuances into their software development solutions, making them more effective in engaging users from diverse cultures. By understanding the cultural context of a project, African developers can create software solutions that resonate with users from different backgrounds.
Favorable government incentives
Several African countries have implemented government incentives aimed at attracting foreign businesses to invest in their local software development industry. These incentives include tax holidays, grants, and subsidies for companies that set up operations in Africa.
For example, Kenya’s government offers tax incentives to companies that hire local IT graduates, while Nigeria’s government offers tax holidays to businesses that invest in software development. Similarly, South Africa offers a range of tax incentives, grants, and subsidies for businesses that invest in software development, including R&D tax incentives, cash grants for start-ups, and subsidies for the development of broadband infrastructure.
These incentives not only reduce the cost of outsourcing from Africa but also help businesses access specialized talent and grow their businesses. By investing in software development in Africa, businesses can benefit from the expertise of highly skilled African developers and leverage the continent’s growing technology ecosystem to enhance their business operations.
In conclusion, outsourcing software developers from Africa offers businesses an array of benefits that are not limited to just cost savings. With a pool of highly skilled developers, competitive rates, high-quality work, cultural compatibility, government incentives, and multilingual abilities, Africa has become a leading destination for outsourcing software development projects and staff augmentation services. The continent’s growing technology ecosystem, combined with its rich cultural heritage and linguistic diversity, make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to access specialized talent and develop software solutions that cater to a diverse customer base.
Are you looking to outsource a software development project, build a remote dedicated developer team or augment your existing staff with an experienced team of offshore developers from Africa? Othware is your standout option. With a team of highly skilled and experienced remote developers with expertise in various technologies, including web and mobile app development, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain, we deliver top-notch software development and offshore developer outsourcing solutions that meet clients’ unique needs and requirements.
Additionally, our rigorous development process ensures high-quality work, timely delivery, and cost-effectiveness. Othware’s remote team operates in a conducive environment that allows developers to collaborate and share knowledge, making it a reliable partner for businesses seeking innovative and cost-effective software development and offshore developer outsourcing solutions. Speak to our business developer today!