American software company Salesforce has appointed Sandra Adesuwa Ebere as its Business Development Lead in preparation for expanding its presence in Nigeria. This announcement was made during a media roundtable held today, November 15, 2024.
Salesforce, known for its cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, outlined its strategic plans for Nigeria following Ebere’s appointment. The company emphasized that hiring Ebere as the Business Development Lead is the initial step, underscoring the importance of the Nigerian market to its global strategy. However, according to Salesforce, “there are no immediate plans to establish a physical office in the country.”
This development comes on the heels of Salesforce’s decision to reduce its global workforce four months ago, a move aimed at streamlining operations, optimizing its structure, and driving growth. Earlier in 2024, the company had also implemented job cuts, affecting 10% of its global workforce, with a significant impact on employees in Ireland. These layoffs were part of a broader trend of major tech layoffs worldwide.
Despite these workforce reductions, Salesforce has continued to experience significant growth in Africa, particularly in South Africa and Morocco. The company has reported substantial returns on investments in these regions, driven by increasing interest in artificial intelligence (AI). A spokesperson for Salesforce stated, “By keeping an eye out for potential opportunities, Salesforce remains dedicated to expanding its footprint in the region and delivering innovative solutions to meet the growing demands of customers.”
Among these potential opportunities are strategic partnerships with firms like Amazon’s cloud marketplace. Salesforce has extended its coverage beyond South Africa and Morocco through partnerships and direct engagement with companies such as MTN, Vodacom, and Standard Bank.
Ebere, who has been with Salesforce for just five months, has already made a significant impact by closing the biggest Slack deal in Nigeria within three months. The company highlighted her appointment as both important and strategic, indicating her crucial role in their expansion plans.
While Salesforce is making significant strides in Africa, other multinational companies have faced challenges on the continent. In 2023, Microsoft Kenya reportedly laid off several employees at its Africa Development Centre in Nairobi. Salesforce’s commitment to expanding its presence in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, reflects its broader strategy to tap into emerging markets and deliver innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
Editor’s note: The initial version of this article stated that Salesforce has plans to establish a physical presence in Nigeria. The company has since clarified that “there are no immediate plans to establish a physical office in the country.”
