TikTok has axed several employees in Africa as part of a massive global layoff, dealing a significant blow to its operations on the continent.
The social media giant, owned by ByteDance, cut an unspecified number of roles in June, affecting over half of its African team based in South Africa and Nigeria.
The layoffs, which began in March, have targeted content operations, marketing, and trust and safety teams, with more job losses expected in the third quarter of 2024.
The exact number of job cuts remains unclear, but sources suggest the African team had at least 100 employees.
Despite speculation linking the layoffs to TikTok’s regulatory woes in the US, an executive insisted the move was a routine business assessment, not a reaction to external pressures.
“The changes are not a reaction to anything,” the executive said. “It’s a function of assessing the business and making necessary changes.”
TikTok is not alone in its restructuring efforts. Meta and Microsoft have also downsized their African teams, citing the need for strategic adjustments. However, all three companies claim to remain committed to investing in Africa.
According to The Information, this is TikTok’s most significant layoff to date, deviating from its typical approach of smaller reorganizations across teams.
The move raises questions about the company’s future plans and its ability to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
