Offshoring is proving to be a powerful growth engine for South Africa with its influence already visible on the property sector and set to expand in the coming years.
Offshoring is the relocation of business operations or services to another country-has become a key part of many companies’ global strategies.
Jasmine Araujo, the senior manager for Financial Services and Commerce for Robert Walters SA, said the phenomenon's positive impact includes the fact that job creation drives property demand.
“Offshoring is bringing in thousands of jobs in finance, IT, BPO and customer support. This is drawing skilled professionals, particularly youth, into urban centres. The result is a healthy demand for quality residential housing, co-living, and mixed-use developments close to work,” Araujo said.
The company, which is a recruiter involved in talent acquisition for global firms, said another current benefit the property sector derives from the SA offshoring boom is increased investment in commercial property/rental yield stability.
It said in regions where offshore firms lease properties, landlords benefit from stable, long-term rental income streams.
“Global firms are signing long-term leases, renovating existing buildings, and even commissioning custom-built office parks. This raises the value and quality of commercial real estate.”
The firm added that it also boosts urban revitalisation with areas like Cape Town CBD, Sandton, and Umhlanga now seeing a boost in infrastructure and amenities due to offshore-driven development, making them more appealing to employers and employees alike.
Araujo said going into the future, offshoring will lead to growth beyond major cities She told this publication that as talent demand rises and recruitment spreads to new regions, so will the footprint of offshoring-driving property development in secondary cities.
The recruiter’s senior manager said it will also lead to stronger employer branding through real estate as international firms will seek buildings that reflect their global standards; green buildings, smart offices, and collaborative workspaces (“WeWork”/”Spaces”). This elevates South Africa’s commercial real estate profile, she said.
Araujo said offshoring will also be a stimulus for affordable housing and youth hubs with the influx of young, mobile professionals creating demand for lifestyle-oriented, accessible living spaces, encouraging more innovative residential design and urban planning.
New data from leading global talent solutions business Robert Walters highlights that the SA is increasingly viewed as a strategic option for companies aiming to optimise costs and tap into a highly skilled workforce.
It said some 60% of business leaders say the country is the most attractive location for offshoring increasingly becoming a preferred location for international companies seeking to offshore or set up shared service centres.
In the recent Robert Walters global survey, 60% of business leaders ranked South Africa as the most attractive country for offshoring, surpassing countries like India (10%), the Philippines (10%), and Eastern Europe (19%).
While access to skilled talent (41%) and retained earnings (39%) remain the top reasons for offshoring in general, South Africa offers the added advantages of strong English proficiency, time zone alignment with major markets, and a growing reputation for business and tech services.
The industries that have shown notable growth in offshoring activities to South Africa include Tech & IT, which accounts for 53% of new roles. This is followed by demand in customer service and support (18%), finance and accounting (20%), and HR and recruitment (9%).
Bradd Bendall, the head of sales at BetterBond, said the growing offshoring trend is already influencing SA’s property sector in measurable ways.
“As global companies set up shared service centres, particularly in business hubs like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, we’re seeing increased demand for both residential and commercial property.
"These businesses often bring with them skilled professionals and teams who require quality housing close to their offices, driving demand in key nodes. Additionally, international investment in infrastructure and real estate follows as businesses commit to long-term operations.
"Looking ahead, we anticipate offshoring will boost property activity in emerging mixed-use precincts and satellite towns as companies look for space-efficient, cost-effective locations that are still well-connected,” Bendall said.
Sharing its perspective on what the property sector can do to maximise growth from offshoring, the recruiter placing talent into global-facing businesses said one of the key drivers of success is whether the physical environment supports rapid hiring, retention, and growth.
It said the country’s property sector can better position itself by developing talent-friendly housing. It said the sector can prioritise affordable, secure, and transport-accessible housing near business hubs.
Co-living spaces, micro-apartments, and residential units with communal work areas are said to be ideal for young professionals starting offshore careers.
Robert Walters SA said the property sector can also create smart, flexible commercial spaces, build or retrofit offices that are “plug-and-play” ready, allowing offshore firms to scale up quickly and include training centres, breakout rooms, and wellness spaces to support recruitment, onboarding, and retention.
The firm said sector players can also invest near talent pools with property developers identifying where the future workforce is emerging-near universities, technical colleges, and community training hubs-and build accordingly.
It said that the sector can also design Live-Work-Play Environments. Mixed-use precincts that combine living, office space, retail, and recreation help attract and retain talent, supporting both recruitment and lifestyle.
It said these environments reduce commute times, improve productivity, and appeal to international clients seeking sustainable operations.
The company said collaborating with recruitment agencies can help to forecast job growth areas and plan developments around hiring pipelines, as recruiters often have inside knowledge of where businesses are expanding and what infrastructure they need.
Araujo said that from a recruiter’s perspective, offshoring is not just good for job creation but is also redefining urban development, boosting property demand, and helping South Africa position itself as a global service hub.
She said the property sector has a major role to play by providing the right spaces that support modern work, attract talent, and meet international expectations.
“With strategic planning and collaboration, South Africa’s property market can ride the offshoring wave to long-term, inclusive, and sustainable growth,” Araujo said.
To capitalise on this opportunity, BetterBond said the property sector needs to ensure a pipeline of developments that are not only affordable and well-located but also flexible enough to cater to hybrid and remote work models.
"This includes integrated live-work-play developments, high-speed connectivity, energy resilience and proximity to public transport. Collaboration between property developers, financial institutions and government is essential to accelerate approvals, invest in supporting infrastructure and incentivise the development of inclusive urban precincts.
"With the right policies and forward-thinking investment, South Africa can offer attractive real estate options that align with the needs of global businesses and their workforces.”
Independent Media Property
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