Canadian startup CostCertified, which recently opened a local office in Cape Town, said that Cape Town is now one of the world’s fastest-growing regions in terms of foreign investment. Citing data from fDi Intelligence, the group noted that the city has been established as a top destination for international tech companies, with over 40,000 people employed in the sector.
The company, which provides cost estimating software for the residential construction industry, acquired offices and began its local hiring process weeks before anyone from the CostCertified team were on the ground in South Africa. From location scouting to conducting Zoom interviews, the entire process was virtual – which posed a number of opportunities and challenges.
In particular, South Africans are sought-after for sales development and customer success roles. First and second-language English speakers often have neutral accents that make it easier to connect with customers across the world.and Panasonic have identified and leveraged this opportunity since 2004 – but with more businesses moving in every year, companies now have to work harder to differentiate themselves and attract talent.
In addition to receiving the largest number of foreign direct investment projects in the software and IT services sector, South Africa also recorded the second-highest number of start-ups, after Nigeria.