In a landmark move to enhance Africa’s capacity for large-scale project delivery, the Project Management Institute (PMI) Sub-Saharan Africa is leading a delegation of African government officials and corporate executives on a strategic visit to China.
The goal: to gain deep insights into China’s globally renowned project execution ecosystem, talent development strategies, and institutional agility.
The study tour, which brings together top leaders from across the public and private sectors, explores how China has managed to scale delivery across sectors through structured project management practices and long-term investment in human capital.
PMI’s delegation will engage with major Chinese corporations including ZTE Corporation, China Communications Construction Company Ltd, CNPC Engineering & Construction Company, Hengbao Co., Ltd, and the prestigious Tsinghua University.
The visit also includes participation in the China PMO Symposium, high-level B2B roundtables, and strategic meetings with the China International Talent Exchange Foundation (CITEF), PMI’s key governmental partner in China.
“This visit is an opportunity to observe a country that has built a global reputation for delivery. 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,” said George Asamani, Managing Director of PMI Sub-Saharan Africa.
Delegates on the mission include representatives from 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, organisations playing critical roles in the continent’s infrastructure and socio-economic development.
Though focused on knowledge sharing, the visit also underscores a crucial global reality: in a fast-changing world where innovation cycles are accelerating, the ability to execute effectively and at scale is becoming a defining edge for nations and organisations. Project management, with its universal principles—planning, stakeholder engagement, risk mitigation, and cost-time control, emerges as a central enabler of that edge.
Its relevance is even more pronounced in Africa, where the twin forces of digital transformation and urbanisation are reshaping economies.
However, a staggering gap remains: Sub-Saharan Africa currently accounts for less than 2% of the certified project professionals needed to support its growth. As such, building a pipeline of skilled project leaders is now a strategic necessity.
This demand for talent is rising just as global attention on Africa intensifies.
China, in particular, has stepped up its engagement, pledging $51 billion in new financial support to the continent over the next three years.
This investment is targeted at advancing Africa’s industrial, digital, and social infrastructure.
Within this broader context, PMI’s mission is more than a learning trip, it’s a bridge for deeper cooperation.
It provides Chinese companies expanding into Africa with firsthand exposure to the continent’s project environment, and offers African leaders a look into the institutional frameworks that have helped China scale rapidly and sustainably.
“We are honoured to welcome this distinguished delegation from Africa.
“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,” said Bob Chen, Managing Director of PMI China.
The mission offers African leaders a chance to study how China has embedded project management principles not just in businesses, but in government operations and national development strategies.
These insights are crucial to replicating success models that are both scalable and locally adaptable.
“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.
“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,” Asamani emphasised.
As Africa charts a bold path toward inclusive development, this initiative could mark a defining moment in aligning talent, tools, and execution with the continent’s ambitious vision for growth.
All rights reserved. The content on this website, including text and other digital materials, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of The News Accelerator Network.
For advertising inquiries, news coverage, or press releases, please get in touch with us at
📧 thenewsacceleratornetwork@gmail.com
📞 0805 101 7159, 0814 404 8512.
Post a Comment