By James Ratemo in Nairobi Kenya

Kenya’s Business Processing and Outsourcing (BPO) industry has been handed a lifeline after an internationally recognized BPO trainer and certifier pitched camp in Nairobi.

The World’s largest Standards and Credentialing body, BPO Certification Institute, Inc (BCI) in collaboration with Cambridge College will now offer Kenyans, most advanced Call Center training programs and 16 of the world’s finest BPO Certification programs.

Witnessing the launch in Nairobi, Ministry of Information PS, Dr Bitange Ndemo said the Kenya’s BPO industry has experienced slow growth due to lack of enough trained personnel to attract international clients. “Already we have laid up-to date infrastructure by laying undersea fiber optic cables, the missing ink has been trained personnel. With this highest standard level of training Kenya comfortably compete globally for BPO business,” he said.

He said his ministry has already made a proposal to Treasury requesting funding for a BPO business park to attract global investors in the BPO industry. “Infrastructure is here. Our competitiveness has improved. We only need to improve standards and ethics to attract the world market,” he argued. BCI President and global business head, Rajiv Gupta said Kenya has potential to rival India and Philippines in the BPO sector due to her improved ICT infrastructure and a wide base of English speaking youth.

“From my international experience I know many international companies are eyeing to put base in Kenya but are only reluctant due to insufficient trained manpower. With proper training Kenya will become a preferred destination for many international BPO companies,” said Gupta. The existing BPOs in Kenya like KenCall have been training own staff but this is the first time Kenya will have chance to gain for international and BPO specific training. Cambridge College Director, Tej Bedi said the initiative would see Nairobi become a state-of-the-art learning, training and certification centre for BPOs in East Africa.