- Microsoft closes Africa Development Centre in Nigeria, leading to job losses.
- Centre was opened in 2022 to deliver engineering and innovation solutions.
- Microsoft will continue operating in Nigeria, focusing on strategic growth areas.
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT.O) has announced the closure of its Africa Development Centre in Nigeria, a move that will result in job losses for some of its employees in the country. The centre, which was established in 2022 in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, was part of Microsoft’s strategy to harness the continent’s talent pool and deliver cutting-edge engineering and innovation solutions.
Despite the closure, Microsoft has assured that it will continue to operate in Nigeria, with a focus on strategic growth areas. A spokesperson for the company confirmed the development, stating, “Microsoft has decided to close the Africa Development Centre in Nigeria, and as a result, some of our employees based in Nigeria will be impacted.”
The spokesperson added that organizational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing the business, implying that the decision was made to optimize the company’s operations and resources.
The exact number of employees affected by the closure was not disclosed, but it is worth noting that Microsoft had invested significantly in the Nigeria centre, with over 200 engineers employed there as of December 2022. Additionally, the company had a larger presence in Nairobi, Kenya, with over 500 engineers working on various projects.
Microsoft President Brad Smith had previously highlighted Africa’s potential as a growing talent pool, particularly in contrast to declining population growth in other regions. The company’s decision to close the Nigeria centre may be seen as a setback for the continent’s tech ecosystem, but Microsoft’s continued investment in strategic growth areas suggests a commitment to the region’s long-term potential.
The closure of the Africa Development Centre in Nigeria is a significant development in the tech industry, and its impact will be closely watched by stakeholders and observers alike. As Microsoft navigates this change, it remains to be seen how the company will continue to support innovation and talent development in Africa.
