Privet,
Victoria from Techpoint here,
Here’s what I’ve got for you today:
- Microsoft to lay off about 6,000 staff globally
- Why fixing women’s health will improve African economies
- Nigeria’s Chowdeck lands in Ghana
Microsoft to lay off about 6,000 staff globally
Microsoft is reportedly planning to give the boot to about 3% of its global workforce, roughly 6,000 employees, as part of a broader restructuring aimed at streamlining management and boosting efficiency. This marks the company’s largest round of job cuts since 2023, when it eliminated 10,000 positions. The layoffs will affect staff across various divisions and geographies, including roles at LinkedIn and international branches.
The company, which had 228,000 employees as of June last year, is focusing on reducing layers of management to enhance agility and better position itself in a dynamic market environment. Despite strong financial performance, including a recent quarterly net inc0me of $25.8 billion, Microsoft says it’s making these cuts to control costs while investing heavily in artificial intelligence, with plans to spend up to $80 billion in the 2025 fiscal year on related initiatives.
In Africa, Microsoft maintains a significant presence with offices in countries such as South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. However, in 2024, the company confirmed layoffs at its African Development Center (ADC) in Lagos, Nigeria, affecting its engineering team. While the Lagos facility remains operational, the ADC’s closure marked a significant shift in Microsoft’s operations in the region.
Per the tech giant, the recent layoffs and restructuring efforts reflect Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to optimise operations amid shifting business priorities and market conditions. While the company continues to prioritise high-performing teams and strategic investments, particularly in artificial intelligence, these changes have significant implications for its workforce worldwide, including in African countries where it operates.
As Microsoft navigates these organisational changes, the impact on its operations in Africa and other regions will depend on how the company balances its investment in emerging technologies with the need to maintain a skilled and agile workforce.
Why fixing women’s health is key to improving African economies
While most kids dreamt of becoming doctors or starting businesses, Margaret Ntambi had something different in mind. She wanted to invest in people building those businesses. Born to Ugandan academics, Margaret’s early life seemed like a straight path to a career in health. But one university trip to Uganda changed everything. She saw how economic struggles, not just health problems, were holding rural communities back.
That trip sparked a shift. Margaret ditched medicine for finance, earned a business degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and kicked off her career at Procter & Gamble. Today, she’s a partner at Velocity Digital, where she’s pouring her time and talent into Africa’s growing tech ecosystem with a sharp focus on femtech.
So, what exactly is femtech? Margaret describes it simply: tech and tech-enabled solutions tackling women’s issues, especially health. But she’s quick to point out that it’s more than just health. In Africa, she says, improving women’s health can boost economies. “It’s not a soft topic. It’s an economic one,” she told Techpoint Africa.
Through Sati, a research and writing platform she co-founded with Ona Aliakai, Margaret set out to help both investors and founders navigate femtech more clearly. Their mission? Break down the real market opportunities in the space: How big is it? How do women buy products? What models can actually scale? Their content fills a gap where deep, actionable femtech insights were hard to find.
Yet, despite the numbers, women make up half the population and drive most household spending, femtech startups still struggle to get the kind of attention fintech enjoys. Why? Margaret says it’s partly because investors often see femtech as a “niche” or something that’s mostly impact-driven, not commercially viable. That misconception is costing everyone.
She backs her point with data. Women in Africa contribute just 33% to GDP, and closing that gap could unlock $316 billion in economic value. For her, the solution is simple: investors need to stop thinking of femtech as a nice-to-have and start seeing it as a smart, scalable opportunity. And she’s making it her business to show them why.
Want to learn how she makes a compelling case to investors who view these opportunities as primarily impact-driven rather than commercially viable? Check out Chimgozirim’s latest for Techpoint Africa.
Nigeria’s Chowdeck lands in Ghana
Nigerian food delivery startup Chowdeck has officially landed in Ghana, kicking off operations in parts of Accra. It’s the company’s first move outside Nigeria, and it’s coming in hot with rider training, referral bonuses, and a fresh customer rewards programme all rolled out at once.
To ensure smooth delivery experiences, Chowdeck is putting its Ghanaian riders through a hands-on training programme. They’ll learn everything from how to use the app to offering top-tier customer service. There’s also a fun twist: riders can take part in “Rider Games” to earn bonuses and even access up to GHS1,000 in loans depending on their performance.
Customers aren’t left out either. New users can get ₵10 off their first and second orders when they join through a referral link. Plus, once they make their first order of the month, they unlock a Chowscore, a loyalty system that offers perks like free delivery and exclusive discounts based on how often they order.
Chowdeck is starting in some of Accra’s busiest areas, including Osu, East Legon, Airport, Labone, and Dzorwulu. It’s a smart move; Ghana has a growing appetite for food delivery, with 87% of users ordering via their phones and digital transactions expected to hit $2.35 billion by 2025.
The startup, which launched in 2021, has already built a solid presence in Nigeria with over 1.5 million users and 20,000 riders. Its CEO, Femi Aluko, says Ghana is just the beginning of Chowdeck’s pan-African expansion, and the focus isn’t just growth; it’s about laying the groundwork for convenience across the continent.
To lead its Ghana play, Chowdeck tapped Henry Whyte, ex-Bolt Ghana operations lead, as Country Manager. But it won’t be a walk in the park. Bolt Food is still active in Ghana, and competition is stiff. Chowdeck will need to prove it can adapt fast and stand out in a crowded market.
In case you missed it
- MTN Nigeria and Ghana drive MTN Group’s 33% profit surge in Q1 2025
What I’m watching
- DeepDive: Thinking Quantum and Logical: A Brain’s Quest, and a Conversation
- Overpopulation & Africa
Opportunities
- Techpoint Africa is excited to be a media partner for World Product Day Lagos on May 21, 2025. Join us for workshops, hackathons, and fireside chats focused on bold African innovation. Apply here.
- Want to exhibit or attend the Lagos Startup Expo in June? Visit this website here.
- Moove is hiring Data and Operations Specialist, Nigeria. Apply here.
- Airtel is recruiting an Area Sales Manager in the North-East region. Apply here.
- Building a startup can feel isolating, but with Equity Merchants CommunityConnect, you can network with fellow founders, experts, and investors, gaining valuable insights and exclusive resources to help you grow your business. Click here to join.
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Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
