Meta’s recent round of job cuts, which affected 3,600 employees globally, has also impacted its workforce in Nigeria and other African offices. This wave of terminations comes as part of Meta’s restructuring efforts, with only employees in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands exempt from the layoffs.
Affected employees across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe will receive their termination notices between February 11 and 18, 2025, according to an internal memo from Meta.
Performance-Based Layoffs
A Meta spokesperson for sub-Saharan Africa described the layoffs as part of the company’s routine performance-based process. While declining to disclose the number of affected employees in Africa, the spokesperson emphasized that the cuts were not region-specific and were based on recent performance evaluations.
“We have communicated transparently that, following our recent performance review cycle, we plan to exit our lowest-performing employees,” the spokesperson told TechCabal. “We have the highest confidence in the fairness and robustness of our performance review process, and impacted employees are being provided with generous severance packages.”
Severance and Support Packages
Impacted employees will receive 16 weeks of base pay, plus an additional two weeks for each year of service. The package also includes:
- Full payment for unused paid time off
- Six months of healthcare benefits
- Three months of career support
- Immigration assistance for those on work permits
AI Takes Priority in Meta’s Strategic Shift
The layoffs align with Meta’s renewed focus on artificial intelligence (AI), as the company reallocates resources to support its ambitious AI infrastructure plans. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has declared 2024 as the “year of efficiency”, signaling a strategic shift toward automation, data centers, and specialized AI chips while reducing investments in non-priority areas.
For 2025, Meta plans to invest between $60 billion and $65 billion in capital expenditures, primarily focusing on expanding its AI capabilities. This move reflects a broader industry trend, with major tech companies collectively expected to invest over $300 billion in AI initiatives this year.
Employee Uncertainty Amid Industry Shifts
While Meta presents the layoffs as routine performance adjustments, many affected employees in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond are now facing an uncertain future. The move is part of the larger transformation in the tech industry, as companies pivot to AI-driven efficiencies and reduce headcount in traditional roles.
For the affected employees, the tech industry’s ongoing evolution raises difficult questions about what’s next in their careers—especially as AI continues to reshape business operations and workforce priorities.