Phyllis Migwi, who has led Microsoft Kenya for three and a half years, announced she will leave her role this February.
The tech company has opened applications for a new country manager to continue building on the groundwork Migwi established.
“After an enriching 3.5 years, I am excited to share that I’ll be transitioning from my role this February. As I prepare to transition into my next chapter, I find myself looking back at this period with immense pride… it has been a profound honour to lead this work, but the time has come for me to pass the baton.
“I am genuinely excited to see who will take the lead next and build upon the foundation we have laid,” Migwi said in a LinkedIn post.
During her tenure, Migwi oversaw initiatives that enhanced Kenya’s digital sector. She led the country’s hosting of the largest Artificial Intelligence conference in Africa as part of Microsoft’s Global AI Tour, highlighting Kenya as a hub for AI adoption.
Programs under her leadership targeted multiple sectors, including healthcare, finance, retail, and supply chains, preparing the economy for broader AI integration.
Migwi also championed connectivity and digital inclusion. Through Microsoft initiatives like Airband and Project Mawingu, nearly 10 million people in 31 counties gained access to affordable internet by the end of 2024.
Schools, health clinics, and small businesses benefited, giving more Kenyans a chance to participate in the digital economy.
Digital skilling was another focus. Migwi helped millions of young Africans gain expertise in cloud technologies, cybersecurity, and AI, while partnering with national stakeholders to strengthen Kenya’s AI skills ecosystem.
She also supported government digital transformation through cloud adoption and strategic frameworks aimed at improving service delivery across public institutions.
Microsoft recently announced a $1 billion digital investment in Kenya in partnership with UAE-based G42, anchored on a green data centre that will host the new East Africa Azure cloud region.
The initiative is a transition from planning to operating live cloud infrastructure in Kenya, a major step for the region’s tech ecosystem.
Additionally, Microsoft is introducing a mandatory three-day-in-office policy globally in 2026, moving away from post-pandemic flexibility. This change will affect teams in Kenya as the company transitions leadership and scales its operations.
Phyllis Migwi leaves behind a strengthened Microsoft presence in Kenya, a more connected country, and a growing AI-ready workforce. Her successor will inherit a foundation built on strategic investments, innovation, and inclusive digital growth.
