Microsoft has announced the closure of its Africa Development Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, leading to redundancies for some of its employees in the country.

The move comes just over a year after the tech giant established the centre as part of its efforts to foster high-end engineering and innovation solutions.

In a statement on Wednesday, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed the decision to shut down the Lagos-based facility, citing the need for "organisational and workforce adjustments" as a regular part of managing the company's business operations.

Despite the closure of the Africa Development Centre, Microsoft assured that it would maintain its presence in Nigeria, continuing to prioritise and invest in strategic growth areas within the country.

The exact number of employees affected by the redundancies was not immediately disclosed. However, last December, Microsoft President Brad Smith had highlighted Africa's growing talent pool, particularly in contrast with declining population growth in other regions. At that time, the company employed more than 200 engineers in Lagos and over 500 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The closure of the Africa Development Centre in Nigeria comes as a setback for Microsoft's efforts to tap into the continent's burgeoning talent and expand its footprint in the region. In spite of this, the company has reiterated its commitment to strategic investments and growth opportunities in Nigeria.

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