Microsoft to close Nairobi Engineering Centre in global restructuring
Microsoft is closing its Africa Development Centre (ADC) in Nairobi, ending its engineering operations in Kenya as part of a global restructuring that has raised concerns over local jobs and the country’s technology investment climate. Employees were informed of the decision on Monday, October 12, 2026, with the changes affecting the engineering department at the [...] The post Microsoft to close…
Microsoft plans to close its Nairobi Engineering Centre as part of a global restructuring, impacting local jobs and raising concerns about Kenya's technology investment climate. The announcement follows the closure of the company's Africa Development Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2024. During a meeting between Microsoft and Kenyan government officials, concerns were raised about retaining local talent and protecting jobs at the Nairobi facility.
Despite the restructuring, discussions between Microsoft and the Kenyan government focused on expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital government services, cybersecurity, and digital skills development. The two sides also discussed the adoption of artificial intelligence in government, the digitisation of public services, and Microsoft's support for Kenya's National AI Policy.
Microsoft has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Kenya, but the future of the Nairobi engineering workforce remains uncertain.
Brief written by urgent.news from KahawaTungu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
