Redefining technology outsourcing with teams from emerging markets
Overview
In a rapidly evolving tech landscape, where talent shortages and escalating costs may hinder growth, rethinking outsourcing models is not just advantageous—it is essential. Primeforge and Dev10’s bold partnership is proving that emerging markets like West Africa can offer the talent, scalability, and cost savings global companies need to thrive.
This groundbreaking collaboration between Primeforge and Dev10 set out to redefine technology outsourcing by integrating software development associates from the U.S. and The Gambia, a rising tech hub in West Africa. With 25% of the cohort based in Africa, this partnership highlighted a shared commitment to expanding access to global tech talent and reshaping the future of IT outsourcing.
The challenge
The tech industry faces a persistent talent shortage, exacerbated by market saturation, escalating costs, and intense competition in traditional outsourcing regions like Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Primeforge and Dev10 sought to address this gap by exploring an emerging market—West Africa—for high-potential software and data engineering talent. This move aimed to provide clients with a sustainable, high-quality alternative to conventional outsourcing hubs while contributing to global talent development.
The solution: A new model for outsourcing
Dev10 (dev-10.com), a division of Genesis10, has traditionally addressed the tech talent shortage by training and placing high-potential individuals from non-traditional backgrounds into critical roles across U.S. industries. The partnership with Primeforge marked the first international cohort for Dev10, integrating U.S.-grade training standards with promising developers from West Africa. This initiative aimed to create a collaborative, cross-border development team capable of delivering solutions in industries ranging from finance to healthcare.
By selecting West Africa as a talent source, Dev10 strategically shifted focus away from saturated outsourcing markets, accessing an untapped pool of highly skilled professionals. This initiative sought to develop a unified team culture across borders, combining technical excellence with critical soft skills like problem-solving, adaptability, and communication to meet client demands.
As Primeforge Founder Ray King explains, this partnership is about more than just meeting immediate staffing needs—it’s about reshaping the future of tech outsourcing.
In exploring an emerging market like West Africa, Dev10 and Primeforge are not just filling tech roles—they’re pioneering a new approach to global talent development. This engagement proves West Africa’s potential as a reliable source of skilled professionals who meet U.S. industry demands, offering companies a sustainable way to address the ongoing talent shortage.
Key components of success
1. Quality training and real-world experience
The 26 associates in the pilot cohort underwent rigorous training and onboarding, combining technical mastery with client-ready soft skills. Developers from The Gambia collaborated remotely with U.S.-based teams, completing real-world projects that ensured readiness for client-facing roles.
2. Cultural integration
Building a cohesive, cross-border team required more than technical training. Regular touchpoints, mentorship programs, and peer-to-peer learning fostered trust and mutual respect, enabling seamless collaboration across borders.
3. Sustainable cost model
The partnership demonstrated that sourcing developers from emerging markets like The Gambia can reduce hiring costs by 60-70% compared to U.S.-based talent. Despite significant savings, quality was not compromised, proving that cost-effective outsourcing can meet high client standards.
Results and impact
The partnership between Dev10 and Primeforge yielded impressive results, with 20 out of 26 associates from the international cohort successfully securing placements with U.S. clients and actively delivering working software. This success rate validated the effectiveness of Dev10’s onboarding model and its ability to produce skilled, client-ready developers.
Beyond cost savings, the initiative proved that global outsourcing teams can thrive in remote, cross-border environments. The partnership established a repeatable framework for sourcing high-quality tech talent, offering companies a scalable solution to the growing talent shortage.
Key takeaways
1. Emerging markets offer untapped potential
West Africa’s growing tech ecosystem, young population, and alignment with U.S. time zones make it an attractive alternative for sourcing talent beyond traditional outsourcing regions.
2. Quality without compromise
By combining U.S.-grade training and onboarding with a diverse talent pool, Dev10 and Primeforge demonstrated that companies can achieve cost savings while maintaining high-quality work.
3. Scalability of cross-border collaboration
This pilot cohort proves that remote, cross-border teams can deliver exceptional results. The model offers a scalable framework for addressing talent shortages across industries.
Conclusion
Primeforge and Dev10’s partnership is more than a proof of concept—it’s a call to action. As companies worldwide face mounting talent shortages, emerging markets like West Africa offer a scalable, high-quality, and cost-effective solution.
Ready to reimagine your outsourcing strategy? Discover how Primeforge can help you tap into emerging talent markets and meet your development needs. Contact us.