• Kenya launched a private outsourcing coalition targeting 100,000 digital jobs by 2026.

• Four major operators founded the alliance with government backing.

• The government linked outsourcing growth to youth employment and training programs.

Kenya targets business process outsourcing to create digital jobs and attract investors as it seeks to position itself as a regional hub for corporate services.

The country faces persistent youth underemployment. In response, policymakers now promote outsourced digital services as a growth engine for employment and foreign investment.

Four major business services operators launched this week the Outsourcing Alliance of Kenya (OAK) in an unprecedented private-sector initiative.

The coalition aims to structure and accelerate the development of Global Business Services, including business process outsourcing and outsourced IT services. The Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy announced the launch on its X account on Thursday, February 5, marking a new phase for a sector expected to play a central role in job creation.

The Outsourcing Alliance of Kenya officially launched on February 3, 2026, according to a statement published by the ministry.

𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐚'𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

The Outsourcing Alliance of Kenya (OAK) was officially launched on February 3, 2026, signaling… pic.twitter.com/NjaNNt3g7M

— Ministry of Info, Comms & The Digital Economy KE (@MoICTKenya) February 5, 2026

Government representatives attended the event. Kenyan Wall Street reported that the alliance brings together CCI Kenya, CloudFactory Kenya, Teleperformance Kenya and Sama Kenya. The coalition plans to expand to more than 20 members by the second quarter of 2026 and aims to help create 100,000 jobs across the value chain.

John Tanui, Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, said in a speech read at the event that Global Business Services expansion provides inclusive opportunities for young people.

He said the government supports the sector through targeted policies, adapted regulatory frameworks and measures that facilitate access to international markets. He added that the state relies on training programs such as Ajira Digital and Jitume, which aim to equip Kenyan youth with skills demanded by the global outsourcing market, according to the Ministry of the Digital Economy.

This initiative comes as Kenya records an unemployment rate of about 5.2% in 2025, with youth facing particularly difficult labor market conditions.

At the same time, internet penetration reaches 48% in 2025. The rate remains below advanced-market levels, but steady growth strengthens the foundation for digital services and outsourcing development.

This article was initially published in French by Félicien Houindo Lokossou

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de BERRY QUENUM