Microsoft announced the closure of its Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos, Nigeria, on Wednesday.
This decision comes as a shock, considering the center’s recent opening in 2022 and Microsoft’s previous statements about Africa’s growing tech talent pool.
The Lagos ADC housed over 200 engineers and was intended to contribute to Microsoft’s development of high-end engineering solutions.
While the company emphasizes its continued presence in Nigeria and commitment to strategic growth areas, the closure will result in job losses.
The exact number of impacted employees remains unclear.
Microsoft attributes the closure to “organizational and workforce adjustments,” a standard practice in business management. However, the decision contradicts statements made by Microsoft President Brad Smith in December 2022.
Back then, Smith praised Africa’s burgeoning talent pool, highlighting it as a bright spot amidst declining demographics elsewhere. Microsoft also boasted a workforce exceeding 500 engineers in Nairobi, Kenya, at that time.
The sudden closure of the Lagos ADC raises questions about Microsoft’s long-term strategy for Africa.
While the company maintains its commitment to the continent, the closure leaves employees and the broader tech community in Nigeria uncertain about the future.
