Microsoft South Africa Technology Chief Asif Valley exits after decade spanning cloud, AI and digital skills
The National Technology Officer is leaving Microsoft after more than 10 years, with no next role announced
Asif Valley is leaving Microsoft after more than 10 years with the company. Credit: Asif Valley
Asif Valley is leaving Microsoft after more than a decade with the company, ending an eight-year spell as National Technology Officer for Microsoft South Africa.
Valley announced his departure on LinkedIn, where he pointed to work spanning digital transformation, AI adoption, government modernization, responsible technology policy and digital skills development.
He did not disclose his next role, saying instead that he was looking ahead to continuing to work around technology and societal impact.
“The future is filled with possibility, and while I don't yet know exactly where the road will lead, I am energised by the opportunity to continue building, learning, and contributing in new ways,” he wrote.
Valley joined Microsoft South Africa as Cloud Development Lead in October 2016 before becoming National Technology Officer in September 2018.
In the technology leadership role, his remit included shaping Microsoft’s technology strategy in regulated markets and working with business leaders, government decision makers and regulators around cloud adoption and digital transformation.
His work also extended into education and skills. Valley says he contributed to initiatives around digital skills development and opportunities for the next generation of innovators, alongside work in areas including healthcare, financial inclusion and agriculture.
From cloud growth to national technology strategy
Before becoming National Technology Officer, Valley led work to accelerate Microsoft South Africa’s cloud business, coordinating cloud planning across different parts of the organization.
His wider career has also included senior roles at Oracle and IBM. At Oracle, he was Director for Southern and Central Africa, responsible for sales across 10 countries.
He spent more than 13 years at IBM, holding roles covering South Africa, Central Africa, East Africa and the wider Middle East and Africa region. Earlier in his career, he also worked in areas including e-learning and life sciences as part of IBM’s emerging market activity.
Reflecting on his time at Microsoft, Valley wrote that the relationships built during the period would remain central to how he viewed the experience: “The people of Microsoft have challenged me to think bigger, lead better, stay curious, and never stop learning.”
He also framed his next step around continuity rather than a change in direction, writing: “The title may change, the organisation may change, but the mission remains the same: using technology to empower people and create meaningful impact.”
