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    Kenya directory

    Sama

    Computer-vision and NLP data annotation

    Profile context

    An independent reading of the provider’s public record, operating model and Kenya delivery footprint.

    Procurement watchpoint

    Workforce transition

    Meta ended a major Nairobi engagement in April 2026; Sama subsequently issued redundancy notices affecting 1,108 employees.

    Updated 16 Apr 2026 34

    Sama has been a pioneer in the AI training-data and data-annotation industries. Founded in 2008 by social entrepreneur Leila Janah under the name Samasource, it helped establish the concept of “impact sourcing” — providing digital work to people who had been excluded from formal employment. 1

    The company operates AI-data workflows spanning computer vision and natural-language processing. It has held B Corp certification since August 2020; this is a social and environmental certification rather than an information-security assurance. 2

    Sama’s Kenya operations have also faced labour litigation and workforce volatility. In April 2026, Meta ended a major Nairobi engagement and Sama issued redundancy notices affecting 1,108 employees. The current Kenya delivery headcount shown here is an Outsourcing.ke estimate informed by that reported workforce change, not a company-disclosed figure. 34

    Service & delivery evidence

    Source markers identify publicly evidenced coverage. A missing row means the field is not yet source-backed; it is not a definitive statement of inability.

    Directory categories

    AI & data services 16

    Core services

    Data Annotation · AI Training Data Validation 16

    Capability coverage

    • AI services Evidence found 16

    Certifications

    B Corp — social and environmental certification 2

    Related providers

    Providers sharing at least one source-backed directory category. This is a factual connection, not a ranking or recommendation.

    Source trail

    Evidence basis

    Sources are labelled by provenance so provider claims, public records, independent reporting and Outsourcing.ke estimates remain distinguishable.

    1. 01Sama — Our founding storyProvider-statedAccessed 29 Aug 2026Sama's account of its 2008 founding, impact-sourcing model and AI-training-data services.
    2. 02B Lab — Sama certification profilePublic recordAccessed 29 Aug 2026Independent certification record showing B Corp status from August 2020 and Nairobi as headquarters.
    3. 03Business Daily — Sama to lay off 1,108 Nairobi staff after Meta ends dealIndependent reportingPublished 16 Apr 2026Accessed 29 Aug 2026Reporting on the contract termination and formal redundancy notices; the current headcount range is an Outsourcing.ke estimate informed by this workforce change.
    4. 04Associated Press — Former Meta contractor Sama to lay off more than 1,000 workers in KenyaIndependent reportingPublished 16 Apr 2026Accessed 29 Aug 2026Independent confirmation of the Meta contract ending and the planned reduction affecting 1,108 Nairobi staff.
    5. 05Sama — Our Team and locationsProvider-statedAccessed 31 Aug 2026Current provider location section lists its Nairobi office at Sameer Business Park.
    6. 06Sama — Why SamaProvider-statedAccessed 31 Aug 2026Provider describes data-annotation and AI-training-data delivery teams in Kenya and Uganda.

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