PMI boss advocates skill-building for Africa’s industrialisation

The Managing Director, Project Management Institute, ((PMI) Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani has called for a ‘revolutionary shift’ in skill-building for Africa to experience the much-needed industrial transformation.

The project management expert, in a statement, described the celebration of Africa Industrialisation Day, as a reminder of the transformative potential of industrialisation in reshaping the continent’s economic landscape, generating employment, and raising standards of living for the approximately 1.5 billion inhabitants.

He added that before Africa begins to look forward to a future driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the rise of automation, it has become imperative to build a robust base of project management skills, central to successful industrialisation.

Asamani stated that each era of technological advancement, from the age of steam to the advent of digital, has been propelled, not merely by inventions and resources, but by skilled people capable of harnessing and managing those resources effectively.

“Industrialisation is not just about factories, machinery, or technology; it is about managing these elements cohesively to create value. And this is where project management skills play a pivotal role.

“Whether establishing new production facilities, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, integrating digital technologies, or flying back to the moon, the success of these efforts hinges on structured, disciplined approaches to planning, executing, and monitoring complex projects. Project management is, in essence, the backbone of industrial progress,” he added.

The PMI boss stated that unlike in a country like China, where mega projects transition from concept to completion with remarkable efficiency, executing similar projects in Africa often takes longer time and demands more resources, due to skills gap in project management.

“This skills gap underscores a crucial barrier to Africa’s industrial progress; without a robust base of project management expertise, the continent faces slower project cycles and reduced global competitiveness,” PMI MD added.

Akin Adewakun