200 jobs at risk as Microsoft shuts down innovation centre in Lagos

THERE are indications that Microsoft African Development Centre ( ADC) may shut down its West Africa operation, located in Lagos, Nigeria.

Industry sources in the know revealed this to The Guardian on Tuesday, though no official statement from Microsoft yet.

It was gathered that the management of Micros oft had on Monday informed the staff of the sudden development.

Affected staff, according to information gathered, might be paid their salaries till June and their HMOS.

A source within Microsoft Lagos office neither confirmed nor denied the development when reached out to yesterday.

“I cannot say anything on that for now. Thank you,” the source stated.

While the immediate cause of the shutting down of the ADC remains sketchy , industr y located in Nairobi. Since its sources claimed it might be due launch, ADC was reported to to the current economic situahave hired 120 engineers and tion in the country. more than 200 total employees

The industry source, however, in Nigeria. said that ADC in East Africa, situAt the launch in 2022, ated in Nairobi, Keny a is not Managing Director, Microsoft affected, “only that of Nigeria.” ADC, West Africa, Gafar La wal,

The ADC was launched in said, “We intended to recruit Nigeria in 2022 after it was set 500 full- time engineers by the up in 2019. It formed part of end of the year or by 2023. Microsoft’s $ 100 million in vestHowever, currently, we ha ve ment for two development cenexceeded 500. This is to tell y ou tres in Africa, with the other about the abundance of talents

we have in Africa.”