Microsoft has announced closing down its Africa Development Centre in Nigeria, which will lead to job losses in Africa’s most populated country.

The centre was opened in 2022 as part of Microsoft's push to deliver high-end engineering and innovation solutions for the company.

According to the company’s spokesperson, however, it will continue to operate in Nigeria and continue to prioritize and invest in strategic growth areas.

"Microsoft has decided to close the Africa Development Centre in Nigeria, and as a result some of our employees based in Nigeria will be impacted.”

"Organizational and workforce adjustments are a necessary and regular part of managing our business,” the spokesperson said.

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It was not immediately clear how many people would be impacted.

In December 2022, Microsoft President Brad Smith said Africa represented a burgeoning talent pool in contrast to declining population growth elsewhere.

Microsoft then had more than 200 engineers in Lagos and more than 500 in Nairobi, Kenya.