Sama Issues Redundancy Notice to 1,100+ Kenyans as Meta Contract Ends

Nairobi has long been known as the “Silicon Savannah,” a title it earned because of its unique mix of local innovation and its role as a global hub for the invisible work that powers the world’s most advanced AI.

But this week was a sobering reminder for the industry of how unstable the global tech supply chain can be.

Sama, which used to be called Samasource, is a key player in Kenya’s BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) sector. It has officially laid off 1,108 workers. This action comes after a major contract with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, was not renewed.

A Shift in the AI Value Chain

While Sama was once primarily known for content moderation, the company had recently pivoted toward high-stakes AI data annotation. These 1,100+ professionals served as the teachers behind the scenes, meticulously labeling vast amounts of data to train Meta’s next-generation hardware and software, including their AI-powered smart glasses.

This layoff isn’t just a corporate statistic; it represents a significant portion of Nairobi’s skilled tech workforce. It highlights a recurring theme in the Global South: while we provide the essential “human infrastructure” for AI, our local labor market remains highly sensitive to the shifting priorities of Silicon Valley.

The Ripple Effect

As a professional who works at the intersection of communication strategy and technical systems, I see this development as a call to action. This choice will have effects that go beyond losing jobs right away:

• The Weakness of the BPO Model: When a local economy depends too much on one big company, it can be hard to keep going. We need to keep adding new types of clients and making our own platforms.
• The Talent Goldmine: These 1,108 people have unique skills in RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback) and model evaluation. These are the most valuable “currencies” in the global AI race right now.
• The Ethical Transition: Sama has promised to pay “living wages” and help with mental health during this time of change. This is a necessary standard for a group of people who have done a difficult job of teaching AI how to understand human culture and conversation.

next steps

What next: Where to start…

If you are one of the people affected, or if you work in data and are looking for your next job, your experience is a huge asset. AI still needs human intuition to work its “magic,” and many global platforms are actively looking for the same skills that are available in Nairobi.

To help fill the gap, here are a few trusted platforms where you can start using your AI training and data annotation skills right away:

Our Remote Work Starter Pack is a wonderful place to start. Get it here

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Immediate Opportunities

1. Mercor AI: A forward-thinking platform that uses AI-driven interviews to match experts with high-level AI training and reasoning tasks.
2. Micro 1: Excellent for those who blend technical knowledge (like Python or data science) with creative AI tutoring. Has a pretty good interview prep tab, use it to test yourself before getting into the real interviews.

Other Platforms to Explore

While the Meta contract has ended, the global demand for AI “human intelligence” is only growing. Here are the direct portals to the industry’s most active players:

• Mindrift: A specialized branch of Toloka focused on AI tutors. It’s ideal for those who enjoy creative writing, coding in Python, or performing deep logic evaluations to improve LLM reasoning.
• Outlier (Scale AI): Currently one of the largest players globally. They frequently have high-priority “missions” for language experts and fact-checkers. Note: You may also know their sister platform, Remotasks.
• Invisible Technologies: Best for the “senior” cohort. They don’t just do labeling; they build complex “agentic” workflows. If you have a decade of experience in strategy or systems, this is a premium landing spot.
• CloudFactory (Kenya): A true pioneer in the Nairobi scene. They offer a more structured team environment compared to the “gig” nature of other platforms, focusing on mission-driven data work.
• OneForma (Centific): A global platform that handles everything from voice collection to image labeling. They often have specific projects for the East African market (including Swahili and local dialect data).

• Alignerr: A newer, high-growth platform that focuses specifically on “cognitive labeling”—tasks that require human reasoning rather than just simple identification.
• DataAnnotation.tech: This site has become a favorite for those who prefer straightforward “chatting” tasks—comparing two AI responses and explaining which is better.
• Surge AI: Known as the “premium” choice for LLM training. They often hire for niche expertise (law, medicine, creative writing) to provide high-quality RLHF data.

Final Thoughts

This is a tough time for the 1,108 Nairobians, but it’s not over. The skills developed at Sama—precision, cultural context, and technical data handling—are precisely what the next phase of the AI revolution requires.

As we move forward, the goal for the Silicon Savannah should be to transition from being a “service provider” to becoming a “system builder.” By owning the platforms we help train, we create a more resilient future for Kenya’s tech talent.

Pro-Tip for Applicants: When updating your CV for the links above, ensure you highlight keywords like “RLHF,” “Model Evaluation,” “Prompt Engineering,” and “Data Quality Assurance.” These platforms use automated filters that look for these specific skills.

Disclosure: This article contains referral links to help displaced workers find immediate remote opportunities. My goal is to ensure our local talent remains connected to the global AI economy.