Microsoft’s Nairobi engineering centre faces closure, putting nearly 400 jobs at risk

Microsoft is winding down its Nairobi engineering centre, putting nearly 400 jobs at risk.

The Africa Development Centre opened in 2019 to let engineers in Kenya and Nigeria build technology for global markets.

Microsoft has told Kenyan employees to discuss proposed changes with their managers, including possible severance terms.

The company has not confirmed the centre will close or said how many employees will remain or when changes will take effect.

Microsoft previously shut its Lagos engineering centre in 2024, while saying then that the decision did not affect Kenya.

A major engineering hub could be lost, along with skilled jobs and a route for local developers to work on global products without leaving the continent.

Kenya’s ICT minister, William Kabogo, urged Microsoft to protect jobs after meeting company executives on October 12.

Both sides agreed to draft a joint action plan, while Microsoft said it remains committed to Kenya.