The Future Is South Africa: Why Companies Are Flocking There for Customer Support

Business
March 24, 2024

South Africa has become a hub for business processing outsourcing, with hundreds of global companies housing customer support centers within its boarder. A combination of English language proficiency, cultural affinity with Western nations, and lower cost of living and wages have made South Africa an attractive option for companies seeking to outsource customer support. The workforce is well-educated, and infrastructure and technology capabilities match what you’d find in any developed nation.

For businesses looking to provide 24/7 customer support in a scalable, cost-efficient way, South Africa may well be the future. The nation has positioned itself as a leader for outsourced customer support, and companies around the world are catching on. The next time you need help with your internet service or insurance claim, don’t be surprised if the friendly voice on the other end has a South African accent. The future of customer support is South Africa, and it’s already here.

The rise of outsourcing customer support to South Africa

South Africa has become a hotspot for companies looking to outsource their customer support. The most popular reason for this is cost-savings. Outsourcing to South Africa can reduce costs up to 70% compared to the United States. With lower wages and operational expenses, companies can save plenty while still providing quality service. Another popular reason is the cultural compatibility. South Africa is a native English-speaking country, so there will be no language barriers when outsourcing there. They also have a great understanding of Western business culture, which ultimately leads to an enhanced customer experience.

South Africa also has a young and well-educated population with solid technical skills. Customer support staff there are able to quickly learn new software and technologies to assist customers swiftly and with expertise. In addition, South Africa has a stable telecommunications network to support call centers and customer service.

Reasons to outsource to South Africa

If you’re looking to outsource customer support to South Africa should be at the top of your list. Here are a few reasons why South Africa is becoming a prime choice for customer service outsourcing:

·        South Africa is a large, educated, English-speaking population. With 11 official language, English and Afrikaans are the most spoken. This means that companies can easily find well-trained, multilingual staff to handle support in English.

·        Labor costs in South Africa are significantly lower than in the United States and the United Kingdom. You’ll get huge cost savings by outsourcing to South Africa, with he average salary for a support agent almost a third of those in Western countries.

·        The time zone is ideal for Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. South Africa is strategically located to provide 24/7coverage and support for global companies.

·        Infrastructure and technology are highly developed. South Africa has a modern telecommunications network and widespread high-speed internet access. This makes it easy for companies to set up and scale their support operations.

·        South Africa has a stable economy and political environment. Unlike some developed countries, South Africa offers political and economic stability as well as solid financial and legal frameworks to protect companies and their data. This stability and security allow for long-term partnership and planning.

From cost savings to time zone advantages to infrastructure, South Africa has so much to offer for customer service outsourcing. It’s no wonder more and more companies are flocking there and finding support solutions in South Africa. The future is customer service is definitely South Africa.

Big brands finding success in South Africa

There are multiple global companies that have found major success by setting up shop in South Africa. The country offers many benefits for companies looking to provide high-quality service at a lower cost. Let’s look at a few major brands that have set up shop in South Africa:

1.   Apple

In 2017, Apple opened its first customer support call center in Cape Town. The center provides phone support for Apple customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Apple cited Cape Town’s diverse, multilingual population and high quality of life as reasons for choosing the location. The support center has been very successful with high customer satisfaction scores. Apple has since expanded the center and additional support for other regions. 

2.   Amazon

Amazon launched a customer service center in Cape Town in 2004, its first outside of the United States. the center supports Amazon customers in North America and Europe. Amazon chose South Africa for its strong infrastructure, English proficiency, cultural fit with Western nations, and lower costs. The Cape Town center has been instrumental in improving support quality and reducing wait-times for Amazon customers worldwide. 

As these examples show, major tech companies and startups alike are finding South Africa an ideal location for customer support outsourcing. With a skilled workforce, cultural compatibility, and cost advantages, South Africa seems poised to become a leader in the support outsourcing industry. The success companies have found there points to a bright future for customer service in South Africa.

How to find customer support staff in South Africa

If you’re looking to find the best customer service staff in South Africa, then you’re at the right place. Remote Talent is specialized recruitment agency that has expertise in finding the top customer support staff in this country. We have accumulated a solid database of skilled customer support staff, with linguistic proficiency, adequate customer satisfaction competency, and overall impressive workers.

To find out more on how we can help you find the best customer support agent in South Africa, book a free consultation with one of our consultants, and we’ll get back to you!

Conclusion

As the evidence has shown, all roads seemingly lead to South Africa in regard to customer support. South Africa is poised to become a major hub for customer support outsourcing. With its growing talent pool of English speakers, cultural adaptability, and cost advantages, South Africa checks all the boxes for companies looking to optimize their customer support operations. If you’re a business looking to enhance your customer experience at a lower cost, you’d be wise to consider South Africa. The future of customer support is bright in South Africa, and companies that get in early will benefit the most.

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