Project Management Institute (PMI) Sub-Saharan Africa is leading a delegation of African government officials and corporate executives on a strategic visit to China, one of the world’s most prolific project execution powerhouses. The visit aims to examine China’s approach to talent development, large-scale project delivery, and organisational agility, elements that are central to China’s sustained global competitiveness.
The delegation will engage with some of China’s most prominent companies, including ZTE Corporation, China Communications Construction Company Ltd, CNPC Engineering & Construction Company, Hengbao Co., Ltd, and Tsinghua University, gaining a first-hand view of the systems, culture, and discipline that underpin China’s extraordinary speed and scale in delivery. The delegation will also participate in the China PMO Symposium, attend high-level business-to-business roundtables, and meet with the China International Talent Exchange Foundation (CITEF), PMI’s government agency partner in China.
“This visit is an opportunity to observe a country that has built a global reputation for delivery,” said PMI’s managing director for Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani.
“China’s project execution capability was developed from scratch, driven by strategic intent, institutional discipline, and long-term investment in capacity building and professional certification. It is a powerful case study in how project management, when embedded at every level, becomes a national competitive advantage.”
The delegation comprises senior executives from sectors critical to Africa’s growth, and includes the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions, Mast Service Africa, Hope for Africa, NetOne, and the University of South Africa.
“We are honoured to welcome this distinguished delegation from Africa,” said Bob Chen, managing director of PMI China. “China’s journey in institutionalising project management has been instrumental to its development success. This exchange offers an opportunity to share experiences, foster mutual understanding, and reaffirm project management’s global relevance as a driver of progress.”
“For Africa to fully realise its infrastructure, industrial, and digital transformation goals, project management must move from the periphery to the centre of national and corporate strategy,” adds Asamani. “This visit marks more than a study tour, it is a signal of intent to embed a culture of disciplined delivery across the continent, powered by project professionals equipped to maximise project success and elevate our world.”
