The Project Management Institute (PMI has just wrapped up its 8th Annual Conference with a commitment to engage young professionals in every facet of their career development.
The conference also highlighted the emergence of future leaders – the youth – who carry potential to reshape the continent and bring to life the vision of an Africa we desire.
According to the African Development Bank, Africa’s youth population is experiencing rapid growth and is projected to reach 850 million by the year 2050. Furthermore, young individuals in Africa are anticipated to make up half of the 2 billion working-age population by 2063 – the continent being the world’s youngest region with a median age of 25 years.
Speaking at the three-day conference, George Asamani, sub-Saharan Africa MD-PMI said: “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 change-makers, investments should be made in education, capacity building and training in project management.”
The conference consisted of keynote addresses, plenary sessions, breakout rooms, roundtables and think-tanks to brainstorm emerging trends in the project management space.
The panellists and attendees discussed and proposed solutions to shortages of certified project managers in the region, describing this as a significant concern with far-reaching implications for development and progress.
Many of Africa’s key development projects, like the ones supported by institutions such as the African Development Bank and World Bank, are crucial for the continent’s social and economic growth and long-term sustainability. These initiatives often involve complex, long-term projects that require effective project management for successful implementation and cannot be allowed to fail.
The best way to accelerate capacity building, therefore, is through partnerships with bodies that actually need project management talents and are driving the continent’s growth, said Asamani. These include governments and multilateral organisations.
A statement on behalf of Francis Asenso-Boakye, Minister for Works and Housing, added that: “As we look ahead to Agenda 2063, let us be guided by the principles of African unity, self-reliance and sustainable development. We must embrace the opportunities presented by our rich cultural diversity and harness the innovative spirit that resides within our continent. We will continue to prioritise infrastructure development, foster an enabling environment for private sector investment, and work tirelessly to enhance regional economic integration. As Minister of Works and Housing, I can assure you of government’s unwavering commitment to this cause”.
In addition to the three-day event, a full-day PMI Africa Conference Youth Edition was also hosted at the University of Nairobi to provide a platform for youths to express their views. “The youthful panel and lineup of speakers added to the students’ knowledge and skills – and afforded them opportunities to network,” Asamani said.
He emphasised that Agenda 2063 serves as a comprehensive, long-term development plan for Africa; stressing the importance of engaging youth in its strategy, idea-generation and decision-making processes. He also clarified that young people are not merely recipients but essential contributors to the continent’s future, and their active involvement can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the agenda aligns with their requirements and dreams.
“It’s an extraordinary time to be a young person in Africa. Geographical boundaries no longer define our possibilities. This means that anyone in the world can start on an equal footing. The task for youths is to recognise the opportunities which exist now. This is what makes project management an exceptionally promising career choice to make.”
Meanwhile, PMI Africa Conference 2024 is set to stay in East Africa and will be hosted together with the PMI Rwanda Chapter in Kigali, Rwanda. The 2023 edition in Kenya attracted just under 900 delegates and students.
