Phyllis Migwi Exits Microsoft Kenya

After 3 and a half years at the helm of Microsoft Kenya, Country Manager Phyllis Migwi has today announced her upcoming departure, effective this February. She has also invited passionate leaders to apply for the opportunity to carry forward the mission she has driven with purpose and courage.

“After an enriching 3.5 years, I am excited to share that I’ll be transitioning from my role this February. As I prepare to transition into my next chapter, I find myself looking back at this period with immense pride, it has been a profound honor to lead this work, but the time has come for me to pass the baton. I am genuinely excited to see who will take the lead next and build upon the foundation we have laid,” she said in a Linkedin post.

Migwi’s tenure has been marked by significant milestones that contributed not only to Microsoft’s growth in Kenya and the region, but also to the broader digital transformation of Kenya’s economy.

Since her appointment as Microsoft Kenya Country Manager in August 2022, Phyllis brought extensive global experience in technology, strategy, and leadership to the role, having previously served as Regional Hybrid Cloud & AI Leader for IBM and held leadership positions across multiple continents. Under her stewardship, Microsoft Kenya intensified its focus on innovation, inclusion, and strategic partnerships that helped accelerate digital transformation across the public and private sectors.

One of the standout achievements during Migwi’s term was bringing the largest Artificial Intelligence conference in Africa to Kenya as part of Microsoft’s Global AI Tour, a landmark event spotlighting Kenya as a hub for AI innovation and adoption on the continent. The conference convened developers, business leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to share insights on harnessing AI for growth and impact.

Migwi championed programs that laid the foundation for AI adoption in multiple key sectors (including healthcare, retail, finance, and supply chain optimization) positioning Kenya as a leading AI-ready economy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Under her leadership, Microsoft Kenya significantly expanded access to digital infrastructure and connectivity through initiatives like the Airband Initiative and Project Mawingu, which by the end of 2024 had connected approximately 9.7 million people across 31 counties. These efforts brought affordable internet access to schools, health clinics, and small businesses, enabling broader participation in the digital economy.

She also passionately advanced digital skilling and employability across the region. Through key Microsoft programs, she helped drive efforts to upskill millions of young Africans in technology and digital competencies including AI, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies. preparing them for the evolving demands of the digital labour market. Her leadership also supported strategic collaborations with national stakeholders to build Kenya’s AI skills ecosystem, reinforcing the country’s commitment to remain competitive in the global digital landscape.

Migwi played a key role in strengthening Microsoft’s public sector partnerships, including supporting government digital transformation through strategic frameworks and cooperation aimed at enhancing service delivery and cloud adoption across ministries and agencies.

Reflecting on her time at Microsoft, Migwi has often spoken about the importance of building resilient teams, fostering innovation, and championing digital inclusion. Her leadership was not just about technology but about empowering people to harness technology for meaningful impact.