• An American software firm has appointed Sandra Adesuwa Ebere as its Business Development Lead as it aims to establish a physical presence in Nigeria.
  • The cloud-based company, which specializes in customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, announced this during a media roundtable held today, November 15, 2024.
  • Additionally, the company outlined its strategic plans for Nigeria in light of Ebere's new role.

Salesforce has identified the initial step in establishing a physical presence in Nigeria as appointing Sandra Adesuwa Ebere as the business development lead. The company emphasizes that Nigeria represents a crucial market for its operations.

This announcement follows a significant reduction in the company's global workforce four months prior, part of a larger initiative to streamline operations, enhance organizational efficiency, and foster growth.

Earlier in 2024, Salesforce also implemented job cuts, aligning with widespread layoffs in the tech industry. These reductions impacted 10% of its global workforce, with a notable concentration in Ireland.

Interestingly, during this period, Salesforce reported substantial growth in Africa, particularly in South Africa and Morocco, citing impressive returns on investments in these areas amid rising interest in artificial intelligence.

A company spokesperson stated that Salesforce is committed to identifying potential opportunities and expanding its presence in the region while providing innovative solutions to address the increasing demands of its customers.

Among these opportunities are strategic collaborations with firms such as Amazon's cloud marketplace. Salesforce has broadened its reach beyond South Africa and Morocco through partnerships and direct interactions with companies like MTN, Vodacom, and Standard Bank.

Ebere, who joined the company only five months ago, has already secured the largest Slack deal in Nigeria within three months. The company regards her as a vital and strategic addition to the team.

While Salesforce is pursuing ambitious plans for Africa, other multinational corporations have been reducing their workforce on the continent. In 2023, Microsoft Kenya reportedly laid off several employees at its Africa Development Centre in Nairobi.