Global data annotation firm Samasource Impact Sourcing Inc (Sama) has announced a major redundancy exercise at its Nairobi office, affecting up to 1,108 employees, after losing a significant contract with social media giant Meta.
The company confirmed that it received a formal notice from Meta to end a major client engagement at its Nairobi delivery centre.
Despite efforts to negotiate and preserve the contract, Sama said those attempts were unsuccessful, prompting it to issue a formal notice of intended redundancy on April 16th, 2026, in compliance with Section 40 of the Employment Act 2007.
The redundancy is directly tied to the conclusion of a major Meta-driven workstream, which employed a significant portion of the Nairobi workforce. The client engagement is expected to conclude later this month, leaving over a thousand workers facing an uncertain future.
The scale of the layoffs represents a significant blow to Kenya’s growing reputation as a hub for AI and data services, with thousands of livelihoods directly impacted.
Sama’s Country Lead and Vice President for Global Delivery, Mrs. Annepeace Alwala, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating that the company’s immediate priority is supporting affected employees through the transition.
“As is standard in our industry, client programs evolve, and we work closely with our partners to manage these transitions responsibly. Our immediate priority is supporting our employees through this change and ensuring continuity across our broader operations,” she said.
Alwala further noted that the company recognises the wider impact on both employees and the local community, adding that affected staff have access to living wages, full benefits, comprehensive wellness resources, medical cover, and on-site counselling support provided by qualified and licensed practitioners.
Sama has been a prominent player in Kenya’s AI and machine learning ecosystem, providing data annotation and model evaluation services to some of the world’s largest technology companies, including GM, Ford, Microsoft, and Google. The company operates a fully-fledged global service delivery centre in Nairobi, which has helped position Kenya as one of the world’s leading AI value chain markets.
The latest development raises fresh questions about the vulnerability of technology outsourcing jobs in Africa to shifts in global client priorities, particularly as major tech firms continue to restructure their operations and vendor relationships.
Despite the setback, Sama insists it remains committed to its core business of high-quality data annotation and model evaluation. The company says it will continue to uphold its standards of data security, responsible AI practices, and workforce support.
Sama describes itself as a certified B-Corp with a mission to expand economic opportunities for underserved individuals through the digital economy, having helped more than 65,000 people improve their livelihoods to date.
Further details on the redundancy process and support packages for affected employees are expected to be communicated directly to staff in the coming days.
