Microsoft Kenya country manager Phyllis Migwi steps down after transformative tenure

Microsoft Kenya Country Manager Phyllis Migwi has announced her departure from the technology giant, marking the end of a three-and-a-half-year leadership period that coincided with the company’s deepening footprint in Kenya and the wider East African region.

Migwi confirmed that she will officially transition out of her role in February, sharing the update in a statement posted on LinkedIn. In her message, she reflected on her time at Microsoft as both professionally fulfilling and purpose-driven, while signaling readiness for a new chapter in her career.

She described the experience as a privilege, noting that leading Microsoft’s local operations during a period of rapid technological change had been both demanding and rewarding. Migwi added that while she steps aside with pride in what has been achieved, the company’s work in Kenya remains far from complete.

Migwi joined Microsoft in 2022, taking over from Kendi Nderitu at a time when the firm was accelerating its investments across Africa, particularly in cloud services, digital skills, and innovation infrastructure.

Steering Microsoft through a critical growth phase

Migwi assumed leadership during a pivotal phase for Microsoft in Kenya, as the company expanded initiatives tied to the African Development Centre (ADC), cloud adoption, and enterprise digital transformation. Her tenure aligned with growing demand for cloud services, cybersecurity solutions, and digital skills across both the public and private sectors.

Under her leadership, Microsoft strengthened its engagement with the Kenyan government, supporting digital transformation agendas and reinforcing policy collaboration around technology, innovation, and skills development. Partnerships with enterprises, startups, and educational institutions also expanded, reflecting a broader push to position Kenya as a regional technology hub.

Migwi played a central role in advancing programs focused on digital inclusion and workforce readiness, particularly initiatives aimed at equipping young people and small businesses with relevant technology skills. These efforts supported Microsoft’s wider mission of enabling local communities and businesses to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.

Reflecting on the journey, Migwi said the purpose behind Microsoft’s work in Kenya and the region had never been clearer, emphasizing the importance of long-term impact beyond commercial growth.

Leadership transition amid regional opportunity

As she prepares to exit, Migwi expressed confidence in Microsoft Kenya’s future and called for a successor who can build on the existing foundation while pushing the organisation’s impact even further.

She noted that significant opportunities remain across Kenya and the broader region, particularly in areas such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, digital public services, and small business enablement. According to Migwi, the next phase of leadership will be critical in translating these opportunities into sustained economic and social value.

Her departure comes at a time when Kenya’s technology ecosystem continues to mature, with increasing adoption of cloud services, growing startup activity, and rising demand for enterprise digital solutions. Microsoft remains a key player in this landscape, particularly through its investments in skills development and regional innovation infrastructure.

As of publication, Microsoft has not announced who will succeed Migwi or outlined the timeline for the leadership transition. The company has also not indicated whether the role will be filled internally or through an external appointment.

Migwi’s exit marks the close of a significant chapter for Microsoft Kenya, one defined by expansion, partnerships, and a stronger alignment between technology and national development priorities.