Project Managers Seek Opportunities For Young Africans

Project Management Institute (PMI) has pleaded with African leaders to give young Africans a chance in governance and business so that they can implement plans governing their future.

PMI is a professional organisation for project management and the authority for a growing global community of millions of project professionals.

The managing director of the Sub Saharan Africa of PMI, George Asamani made the call at the recently concluded PMI’s 8th annual conference, with a commitment to engage youth successfully in all aspects of their professional growth. The conference shed light on the rising leaders – the youth, who hold the promise of transforming the continent and creating the ‘Africa We Want’.

At the conference, Asamani stated that, “the youth represent a significant human resource that can’t be ignored. Their energy, creativity, and potential can be harnessed for sustainable development, including addressing climate change. To empower African youth to be effective changemakers, investments should be made in education, capacity building, and training in project management”

The three-day conference consisted of keynote addresses, plenary sessions, breakout rooms, roundtables and think tanks to brainstorm the emerging trends in the project management space. The panellists and attendees shared their personal experiences and tips that helped them in their journey.

The conference heard that the shortage of certified project managers in the region is a significant concern with far-reaching implications for the region’s development and progress. Participants agreed that many of Africa’s development initiatives, such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and projects funded by institutions like the African Development Bank, World Bank, and so on, are critical for the continent’s socio-economic growth and sustainability.

According to Asamani, “the best way to accelerate capacity building is through partnerships with bodies that actually need project management talents and are driving the growth of the continent. That includes governments and multilateral organisations.”

Speaking at the conference, Cabinet secretary, ministry of Education, Kenya said: “Kenya’s potential to shine on the global stage is undeniable, and the pursuit of excellence in project delivery is central to this ambition. It is heartening to know that efforts are being made to promote professional involvement and best practices in project delivery in Kenya.

“This commitment will undoubtedly amplify the impact of projects across sectors, aligning with the overarching vision of the economic transformation agenda in agriculture, SMEs, housing and settlement, healthcare, digital, and creative economy.”

In addition to the three-day event, a full-day PMI Africa Conference Youth Edition was also hosted at the University of Nairobi.

“Providing a platform for the youth to express their views demonstrates our commitment to youth engagement and empowerment. The youthful panel and lineup of speakers added to the student’s knowledge and skills and afforded them the opportunity to network.,” added Asamani.