Microsoft Kenya is rumored to be laying off a significant number of employees from its Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Nairobi, with a report suggesting that at least 20 product managers will be affected.
This comes a year into the Tech giant’s commitment to develop tech talent in Africa with the announcement of two new offices for the African Development Center (ADC) in Nairobi, Kenya and Lagos, Nigeria, after three years of successful operation in both countries.
Though the extent of the layoffs and the regions most affected have not been officially disclosed, the news comes as a shock to many in the African tech market, as Microsoft has been seen as a major player in Kenya’s rapidly growing tech sector.
The company has been actively investing in partnerships with local businesses and government agencies and promoting digital literacy and access throughout the country.
Concerns about the layoffs intensified when Kipkorir Arap Kirui, a senior manager in the product management department at Microsoft ADC in Nairobi, announced on LinkedIn that he had been let go.
Despite these reports, Microsoft has not yet released an official statement on the matter. The full extent of the job cuts may be difficult to ascertain, as affected employees may be bound by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
The tech community in Kenya is now left to wonder how these unexpected layoffs will impact the country’s rapidly growing tech sector.
The coming months will be crucial for determining whether Microsoft’s commitment to the region can withstand the fallout from the layoffs and if the company will maintain its reputation as a key contributor to Kenya’s burgeoning tech ecosystem.
