TikTok Layoffs Hit Its African Team Hard—And There Are More Cuts To Come

TikTok has initiated significant global layoffs that have now impacted its African team, according to Tech Cabal.

This move, part of broader organizational changes, saw several employees in Africa lose their jobs in June 2024, following earlier cuts in March. 

These layoffs have notably affected teams working in content operations, marketing, and trust and safety.

African Team Severely Affected

The layoffs in Africa have been particularly harsh, with more than half of the African team based in South Africa and Nigeria, being let go. 

Although the exact number of employees affected remains unclear, sources close to the matter estimate the African team had at least 100 members. 

The June layoffs represent the most significant workforce reduction for TikTok in this region, a situation that could worsen with more cuts anticipated in the third quarter of 2024.

A Strategic Shift, Not a Response to U.S. Pressure

Despite speculations linking these layoffs to TikTok’s ongoing regulatory challenges in the United States, insiders argue that the layoffs are not a reaction to external pressures. 

Instead, they are part of a strategic reassessment aimed at optimizing business operations globally. 

An executive familiar with the situation emphasized that these changes are about ongoing business evaluation rather than an immediate response to political or regulatory issues.

Feature Image Credit: Techeconomy