Microsoft is planning changes to its engineering operations at its Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Nairobi, Kenya, as part of a broader organisational restructuring, putting the future of the company’s local engineering workforce in focus.
The company confirmed on October 13 that it was communicating directly with affected employees about the proposed changes. However, Microsoft has not publicly disclosed how many jobs will be affected or provided a timeline for the changes.
“We are communicating directly with employees in Kenya about proposed changes to our engineering operations,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Capital FM Business, acknowledging the uncertainty facing staff.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to Kenya, saying it would continue to maintain a presence in the country and support its digital transformation and innovation ambitions.
The announcement follows reports that employees were informed on October 12 that the Nairobi engineering centre would close. While some local media outlets have reported a full closure of the centre, Microsoft’s public statement has referred to proposed changes affecting its engineering operations rather than explicitly confirming that the entire facility will shut down.
A major investment in African technology talent
Microsoft opened its Africa Development Centre in Nairobi in 2019 as part of a planned investment of $100 million over five years to strengthen engineering and technology development on the continent. The initiative also included a centre in Lagos, Nigeria, which Microsoft closed in 2024.
The Nairobi hub supported software engineering, machine learning, data science, research and other technical functions. By 2022, it had grown to more than 450 full-time employees, contributing to Microsoft’s global technology development efforts.
The centre was intended to give African engineers opportunities to work on products and technologies used internationally, helping strengthen the continent’s role in the global technology industry.
What happens next?
The proposed changes have drawn attention to the future of engineering jobs and technology investment in Kenya. On October 12, Kenyan Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo met with Microsoft representatives amid concerns about the impact of the restructuring on local talent.
The number of affected employees, the final scope of the changes and any possible staff redeployment arrangements remain unclear.
Although Microsoft has reaffirmed its commitment to operating in Kenya, the outcome of the restructuring will determine what remains of its dedicated engineering operations in Nairobi and how the changes affect the country’s technology workforce.
TNAM
