In June 2024, TikTok executed significant layoffs within its African team, part of a broader global downsizing strategy by the social media giant. This move, which has impacted employees in critical departments like content operations, marketing, and trust and safety, comes after earlier layoffs in March. The earlier round of layoffs was smaller, but by June, over half of the African team, estimated to have around 100 members, had been let go. These teams were primarily based in South Africa and Nigeria.
The exact number of layoffs remains unclear, but sources close to the matter indicate that the African team was severely affected. TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, has not publicly commented on the specifics of these layoffs. However, insiders suggest that the layoffs are part of an ongoing business assessment, rather than a direct response to external pressures, such as the regulatory challenges TikTok faces in the United States. Earlier this year, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a law demanding ByteDance either sell TikTok within nine months or face a potential ban across the U.S.
While some reports have linked the layoffs to these regulatory challenges, an executive within the company dismissed this narrative, emphasizing that the layoffs are driven by internal business considerations rather than external pressures. This aligns with a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies like Meta and Microsoft have also reduced their African workforce while maintaining that they continue to invest in the continent.
According to The Information, this marks TikTok’s most significant layoff to date. The company typically favors smaller, more frequent reorganizations across its teams. However, the scale of the current restructuring indicates a more profound shift in its operational strategy.