In a significant setback to Nigeria’s tech industry, reports suggest that Microsoft is considering the closure of its African Development Centre based in Lagos.
If confirmed, Microsoft’s reported closure of its Nigerian centre would have far-reaching implications for the country’s technological landscape, potentially affecting job opportunities and innovation in the sector.
Jerrymusa.com reports that according to industry insiders Microsoft informed staff on Monday of the planned closure. Affected employees are expected to receive salary payments until June and will continue to be covered by health insurance.
Nigeria’s Economic Condition, a Major Factor
However, a source within Microsoft’s Lagos office declined to confirm or deny the closure when approached. While the exact reasons behind the decision remain unclear, sources suggest Nigeria’s challenging economic conditions likely played a role.
The closure appears to affect only the West Africa operations in Nigeria, not the East Africa facility in Nairobi, Kenya. Microsoft launched its $100 million African Development Centres initiative in 2019, establishing facilities in both Lagos and Nairobi.
The Nigeria centre employed over 120 engineers at launch in 2022, growing to over 200 staff members. Gafar Lawal, Managing Director of Microsoft ADC West Africa, previously stated, “We aimed to recruit 500 full-time engineers by the end of the year or by 2023.
“However, we have exceeded 500, showcasing the abundance of talent in Africa.
” The Lagos Centre was established to develop innovative technology solutions to address challenges across Africa and globally.”
A Microsoft statement noted, “This creates opportunities for engineers to do meaningful work from their home countries and be part of a global engineering and development organization.”