Tech giant, Microsoft has announced the closure of its Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Lagos, Nigeria, Bloomberg reported.
This decision will result in job losses for some employees.
Opened in 2022, the Lagos ADC played a key role in Microsoft’s efforts to develop cutting-edge engineering solutions.
Reports indicate that despite the closure, Microsoft assures continued operations in Nigeria, focusing on strategic growth areas.
“We’ve made the difficult decision to close our Nigerian ADC. This will impact some of our Nigerian employees. Regular workforce adjustments are a necessary part of our business strategy.”
The exact number of affected employees remains unclear.
In December 2022, Microsoft boasted over 200 engineers in Lagos and over 500 in Nairobi, Kenya.
This raises concerns about the future of the Kenyan center, especially considering its recent relocation to a more advanced facility.
While the reasons behind the closure haven’t been disclosed, it seems to contradict Microsoft’s previous statements about Africa’s promising talent.