Local media outlets report HP East Africa closed its operations last week leaving hundreds jobless.
Hewlett Packard (HP) is reported to have closed its operations in East Africa leaving hundreds jobless and a number of its partners without a business.
The members voluntary winding up notice for Hewlett Packard East Africa Ltd was published in local press and calls for creditors to submit details of claims that have against the company by the 9th October 2020.
The Joint liquidators are Messrs George Weru and Muniu Thoiti of P.O. Box 43963 – 00100 Nairobi, Kenya.
HP, taxes, counterfeits have all present a challenging East African market for the company. Between 2005 and 2011 HP was involved in a Sh 232 million (€1.8 million / $2.14 million) tax dispute with the Kenyan Tax Authorities. As late as 2018 HP was in court in a tax dispute with the Kenyan Tax Authorities.
HP’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Fraud Team has assisted officials in Kenya with the closing down of a local counterfeiting operation.
Counterfeiting has been an issue for HP in this market and even aided by Kenyan officials closing local counterfeiting businesses, with authorities confiscating approximately 12 million counterfeits and components between 2012 and 2017.
Editor’s Opinion: Africa is a challenging market at the best of times, but this isn’t HP leaving Africa, it is just closing its Kenya based operation. What will be interesting is how other OEMs like Pantum view this market.
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