TikTok Reportedly Lays Off Staff In Africa

TikTok has reportedly laid off employees across its African division as part of global restructuring, leading to a downsizing initiative.

This follows earlier cuts in March, which had already impacted some roles within the African team. Reports reveal that the recent reductions have affected staff in content operations, marketing, and trust & safety departments. Sources also claims that further layoffs may occur in the third quarter of 2024.

TikTok has not disclosed precise figures but estimates show that around a workforce was reportedly around 100 employees.

Some sources are linking these layoffs to TikTok’s regulatory issues in the United States following President Joe Biden’s recent mandate for ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to divest TikTok or face a ban. However, other reports suggest that the layoffs are part of routine business evaluations rather than a direct response to regulatory pressures.

This wave of job cuts is one of TikTok’s most substantial reductions in workforce, differing from its usual pattern of smaller-scale reorganisations. Other tech giants, including Meta and Microsoft, have also made some reductions in their African operations, though they maintain their focus on investing in the continent.