Nestlé to Cut 16,000 Jobs Worldwide, impact on African Operations Remains Unknown
Nestlé announced plans to eliminate 16,000 jobs globally as the food and beverage giant seeks to streamline operations and boost profitability, sparking uncertainty about the future of its workforce across Africa.The cuts,representing roughly 6% of Nestlé’s total global employees,come as the company navigates a challenging economic climate and shifting consumer preferences.
While Nestlé reported 2024 sales of 65.9 billion Swiss francs – a .9% year-on-year decline broadly in line with earlier forecasts – the restructuring signals a deeper strategic shift. The company has yet to detail how the job reductions will be allocated geographically, leaving the fate of its African operations, which include approximately 20 factories across 12 countries, unclear. this restructuring impacts not onyl employees but also the economic contributions Nestlé makes to local African economies.
Nestlé maintains a significant commercial presence throughout all 54 African nations, distributing its products widely despite having a relatively limited manufacturing footprint on the continent. Factories are currently located in Algeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zimbabwe.
The proclamation raises questions about Nestlé’s long-term commitment to local production in Africa and the potential impact on employment in those key markets. Further details regarding the distribution of job cuts are anticipated as the company implements its restructuring plan.
The restructuring was reported by Stéphanas Assocle.