IT Outsourcing - South Africa

South Africa

Revenue in the IT Outsourcing market is projected to reach US$2.20bn in 2024.
Revenue is expected to show an annual growth rate (CAGR 2024-2029) of 8.12%, resulting in a market volume of US$3.25bn by 2029.
The average Spend per Employee in the IT Outsourcing market is projected to reach US$87.43 in 2024.
In global comparison, most revenue will be generated in the United States (US$197.30bn in 2024).

Key regions: Netherlands, United States, Japan, Germany, Italy

Definition:
The IT Outsourcing market refers to the external contracting of IT functions, services, or projects instead of relying on company-owned resources. By outsourcing IT tasks (e.g., to IT suppliers or software developers), enterprises are able to focus on their core functions and save internal resources and costs (e.g., office space, maintenance, and utilities). Thus, outsourcing teams becomes a viable cost resilience strategy in an environment where companies are looking to save money more than ever.

In an IT context, these activities include IT administration, IT application, and web hosting services. Non-IT-related outsourcing services are excluded.

Structure:

IT Outsourcing contains four distinct markets that are based on different services:

Administration Outsourcing refers to the market for services associated with the external sourcing of typical IT administration tasks such as hardware supply, setup, configuration, maintenance, security, and support.
Application Outsourcing refers to the market for all IT application services in a software production context, spanning from requirement assessments to concept and design of software applications.
Web Hosting includes all types of internet hosting services that allow companies or individuals to provide access to their web page via the World Wide Web.
Other IT Outsourcing refers to aggregated revenues of the types of IT outsourcing that are not specifically mentioned in the other IT Outsourcing markets, such as infrastructure outsourcing, network outsourcing, and managed services.

Additional Information:

The IT Outsourcing market comprises revenues, revenue change, average spend per employee, and revenues of the outsourcing types. Market values represent revenues that are generated by primary vendors either directly or through distribution channels at the manufacturer price level (excluding VAT). Reported market revenues include spending by enterprises (B2B) and governments (B2G). Detailed definitions of each market can be found on the respective page where the market data is displayed. Key players in the market include IBM, Accenture, Capgemini, NTT, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

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Market

Region

Region comparison

Currency

Analyst Opinion

The IT Outsourcing market in South Africa has been experiencing steady growth in recent years.

Customer preferences: South African companies are increasingly turning to IT outsourcing to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency. Many companies are also looking to outsource IT services to take advantage of the expertise and technology of global IT service providers. Additionally, the rise of digital transformation and the need for advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing are driving demand for IT outsourcing services.

Trends in the market: One trend in the South African IT outsourcing market is the increasing adoption of cloud computing services. This trend is driven by the need for businesses to reduce costs and improve efficiency, as well as the growing popularity of Software as a Service (SaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions. Another trend is the rise of digital transformation, which is driving demand for advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. As a result, many IT outsourcing providers are expanding their services to include these technologies.

Local special circumstances: South Africa has a well-established IT outsourcing industry, with a large pool of skilled IT professionals and a favorable business environment. Additionally, the country's time zone and cultural similarities with Europe make it an attractive destination for European companies looking to outsource IT services.

Underlying macroeconomic factors: The South African IT outsourcing market is influenced by a number of macroeconomic factors, including the country's political stability, economic growth, and regulatory environment. The government has been actively promoting the development of the IT sector, which has helped to attract foreign investment and support the growth of local IT companies. Additionally, the country's favorable exchange rate and low labor costs make it an attractive destination for foreign companies looking to outsource IT services. However, the market is also affected by challenges such as a shortage of skilled IT professionals and infrastructure limitations.

Methodology

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2G, B2B, and B2C enterprises. Figures are based on enterprises' technology spending on products, consulting, and outsourcing services.

Modeling approach / Market size:

Market sizes are determined through a combined top-down and bottom-up approach, building on a specific rationale for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use annual financial reports of key players in the industry, Statista's primary research and surveys, and IT associations. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, internet users, and telecommunication. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the exponential trend smoothing method is used based on the market data characteristics. The main drivers are the GDP and its sector composition, internet penetration, the level of digitization, and the attitude toward IT security.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The market is updated twice a year in case market dynamics change. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war is considered at a country-specific level.