The deal will allow Kelly Services to service Kelly Group global customers in areas where Kelly Group does not have operations. It will also allow Kelly Group to service global Kelly Services clients where Kelly does not have operations.

The Kelly Group deal allows Kelly Services to expand its geographic reach into Africa, said James Polehna, senior director of investor and public relations at Kelly Services.

Kelly Services announced a similar arrangement with Temp Holdings Co. Ltd. of Japan in May, Polehna said. The Temp Holdings partnership also included Temp Holdings buying a share in Kelly Services.

Kelly Services ranked No. 6 on Staffing Industry Analysts' 2009 list of largest global staffing firms.

Kelly Group posted revenue of 2.26 billion South African rand (US$303.7 million) in its last fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2009. Its U.S. operations include MSquared Consulting and Collabrus.