Salesforce, a cloud-based software solutions provider, has reduced its workforce by up to 300 employees in July 2024 as part of its efforts to streamline operations, optimize its structure, and drive growth. The company did not specify which jobs or regions were affected.
It’s interesting to note that Salesforce has experienced significant growth in Africa, particularly in South Africa and Morocco, where AI investments have yielded substantial returns. The company’s expansion in Africa is supported by strategic partnerships with firms such as Amazon’s cloud marketplace and collaborations with MTN, Vodacom, and Standard Bank.
As of January 2024, Salesforce had 72,682 employees. Earlier this year, the company cut about 700 roles after a 10% reduction in the workforce at the beginning of 2023. Salesforce’s chief operating officer, Brian Millham, mentioned at a media conference that it’s essential for the business to maximize everyone’s potential, or else it would need to restructure.
Although the number of layoffs in the first half of 2024 is lower compared to 2023, Salesforce is not the only company to reduce its workforce. The Microsoft Africa Development Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, also made a similar move, but Microsoft’s operations in Nigeria remained unaffected. Similarly, Microsoft Kenya’s Africa Development Centre in Nairobi experienced layoffs in 2023, affecting at least 20 employees.
