Phyllis Migwi appointed new Microsoft Kenya country manager

Technology giant Microsoft has named Phyllis Migwi as its new Kenya Country Manager.

Ms. Migwi takes over from Kendi Ntwiga, who had been leading the company's local operations since January 2020 before leaving last month to be the Global Head of Misrepresentation at Meta.

Ms. Migwi’s background is in strategy and operations leadership, brand development, marketing and program management.

Microsoft described her as a leader and a business catalyst known for driving growth in technology over the last two decades.

Most recently, she served as the Regional Hybrid Cloud & AI Leader-Africa Growth Market, for IBM. 

She has previously held leadership roles in Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Information Communication Technology sectors in India, Europe, Africa and North America. 

“I am delighted to welcome Phyllis to the Microsoft Africa Regional Cluster team as the new Kenya Country Manager. I am confident that her extensive experience in Technology in Africa will help us scale partner and customer business impact through the value of Microsoft Cloud,” Microsoft Africa Regional Cluster General Manager Wael Elkabbany said.

“As a strong advocate of Africa’s potential, I believe that Phyllis is a critical addition in unlocking the unique opportunities on the continent.”

Ms. Migwi is passionate about delivering efficient business models, growth strategies and ecosystem value creation.

She holds an MBA from Hult International Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to play my part in Africa’s economic growth story, to position Microsoft as the premier partner for that growth, while developing the leaders who will overcome present challenges and build memorials for the future,” she said.

Her appointment comes on the backdrop of Microsoft’s recent launch of a $27 million (Ksh.3 billion) research and development centre in Nairobi dubbed the Microsoft Africa Development Centre. 

The facility is set to house the engineering, design, research, and innovation teams, as well as the Microsoft Garage, an incubation hub launched as part of the ongoing efforts to scale tech innovation in the continent.

At the time of its launch in March, the centre had already employed more than 450 engineers in Kenya as well as 500 employees in other areas.