Facebook owner Meta Platforms has commenced a fresh wave of layoffs, affecting employees across Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe. Notices started going out Monday at 5 a.m. local time, marking another phase in the company’s ongoing workforce reductions.
An internal memo seen by Reuters revealed the plan, with the cuts being referred to as “performance terminations” in a message from Meta’s Head of People, Janelle Gale.
What’s Happening?
Unlike previous company-wide layoffs, Meta plans to keep its offices open during this round and will not provide further details publicly.
- Employees in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands are exempt due to local labor laws.
- Notifications in other regions, including Africa and Asia, will continue through February 18.
This follows Meta’s announcement last month that it would cut approximately 5% of its “lowest performers.”
Focus on Engineering Talent
Despite layoffs, Meta is doubling down on machine learning and engineering roles.
- A separate memo from VP of Engineering for Monetization, Peng Fan, encouraged staff to expedite hiring for critical roles between February 11 and March 13.
- The company plans to align its workforce with 2025 priorities, focusing on AI and monetization strategies.
Impact on Africa
Meta has been scaling back its operations in Africa.
- In mid-2023, at least 35 Nigerian employees, including its entire engineering team, were laid off.
- Following the cuts, Meta transitioned to a desk-sharing model for remote workers and reduced its office space in Lagos.
While it remains unclear how many Nigerians will be affected in this round, Meta confirmed its intention to target operations across Africa as part of the global layoffs.
Why It Matters
Meta’s layoffs highlight the social media giant’s shifting priorities. As the company invests heavily in AI and engineering talent, regions like Africa and Asia are bearing the brunt of workforce reductions.
The layoffs, branded as “performance terminations,” suggest Meta is taking a selective approach to streamline its workforce while preparing for long-term growth in critical areas like machine learning and monetization.
