Microsoft informed staff on 12 October that it will restructure its Africa Development Centre in Nairobi, though the exact number of layoffs has not been disclosed.

A company spokesperson confirmed that the changes impact the Kenyan engineering team but affirmed that Microsoft will continue operating in Kenya and serving regional customers.

The Nairobi centre, opened in May 2019 alongside a Lagos hub, builds technology for Microsoft 365, Windows, cybersecurity, identity solutions and developer tools.

The facility is located in Dunhill Towers, Westlands, sharing space with Microsoft Research Africa and the Microsoft Garage innovation programme.

The restructuring follows a global workforce overhaul that saw Microsoft cut about 4,800 jobs in July and a further 268 positions in its Xbox division in September.

On 12 October, Cabinet Secretary for ICT, William Kabogo, met a Microsoft delegation led by Vice‑President Jeff Bullwinkel to discuss the changes and their implications for Kenya’s tech sector.

Kabogo stressed the need to retain local expertise, protect jobs at the Nairobi hub and preserve investor confidence, and said the government will work with Microsoft on a joint action plan, though details were not disclosed.

If redundancies occur, affected employees are entitled under Kenya’s Employment Act to statutory notice, payment for accrued leave and severance of at least 15 days’ wages per completed year of service.