The Project Management Institute (PMI) Africa’s two-day conference in Lagos came to a close with stakeholders identifying innovation, entrepreneurship and education as vital to sustainable development in Africa.

The conference, which hosted over 300 delegates from 20 African countries, saw key stakeholders discuss the evolving nature of project management, the project economy, the impact of new technology and the custom certifications PMI is developing to meet new demands in specific industries.

The highlight of the conference was the conversations around youth, led by the youth, for the youth who raised and discussed issues around entrepreneurship, education, and employability.

The conference achieved its objective of promoting project management as fundamental to building thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems, high-performing workplaces, and societies.

Organised under the theme “Sustainable Growth for Social Good,” all the speakers, which included Africa’s leading and inspiring thought leaders, educators, entrepreneurs and change makers, agreed that for Africa to grow sustainably, strategic changes in education, national policies, youth empowerment and corporate culture are needed.

George Asamani, MD, Sub-Saharan Africa, PMI, said that next year’s edition, the 8th PMI Africa Conference, will be hosted in Kenya in partnership with the PMI Kenya Chapter. 

Problem-solving skills

South African journalist and Executive Director of Marketing & Communications, University of Limpopo, Victor Kgomoeswana, opened his keynote by quoting anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko: “It is better to die for an idea that will live than to live for something that will die.”

Kgomoeswana remarked that Africa is endowed with biodiversity, mineral resources, tourist potential and cultural heritage in abundance.

In addition, the significant growth recorded in Africa despite the Covid-19 pandemic can be attributed to cross-border trade and internet penetration.