Philippines outsourcing firm recruits 50 for its first Africa office in Nairobi

Corporate News

Mexicans give dance lessons at the Nairobi National Museum. Photo/Margaretta wa Gacheru 

By NEVILLE OTUKI

In Summary

• BPO operations involve a company hiring another to handle usually non-core business such as customer care and human resource services on its behalf, often through ICT.

A Philippines-based outsourcing services company has opened shop in Nairobi’s Export Processing Zone (EPZ), marking the firm’s entry into the African market.

 

ADEC Group, which says it is the third largest business process outsourcing (BPO) firm in the Asian nation, has hired 50 workers and says it plans to employ another 150 locals before year end.

The company launched its operations Wednesday at the EPZ following the signing of a six-year lease agreement with the EPZ Authority last year.

READ: Philippines firm sets up BPO venture

James Donovan, the group’s chief executive, said they are keen to tap into the growing local market created mainly by multinationals and non-governmental organisations looking to outsource services for non-core business operations to cut costs.

“We look to work with Unep among other global organisations,” said Mr Donovan during the launch. He added that the focus now is on international clients through offshore outsourcing — hiring a company based in another country – before signing deals with domestic customers.

BPO operations involve a company hiring another to handle usually non-core business such as customer care and human resource services on its behalf, often through ICT.

The Philippines firm’s office in Athi River measures 6,000 square feet with a capacity of housing up to 600 workers.

The Asian firm monitors and manages data.