The Project Management Institute (PMI) is gearing up to host the PMI Global Summit Series Africa 2025, a pivotal event aimed at addressing the continent’s complex project delivery challenges. Scheduled for August 19-21 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda, the summit will convene a diverse assembly of project leaders, government officials, innovators, and emerging professionals to explore innovative solutions and best practices for initiating, managing, and executing projects across Africa. Under the theme “Africa on Purpose,” the summit underscores the critical need to shift the focus from traditional project metrics like timelines and budgets to encompass broader social impact, inclusive growth, and sustainable innovation. This reflects PMI’s vision of project success as a catalyst for meaningful and lasting change across the African continent.
The summit’s agenda directly responds to Africa’s escalating infrastructure needs, the ongoing digital transformation, and the urgent imperative for job creation. These interconnected challenges demand a more strategic and impactful approach to project delivery, ensuring that investments translate into tangible benefits for communities and economies. The African Development Bank has highlighted the staggering infrastructure deficit, estimating that the continent requires approximately $170 billion annually to close the gap, with a current funding shortfall of up to $108 billion. This underscores the importance of effective project management in maximizing the impact of available resources and attracting further investment.
George Asamani, Managing Director of PMI Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizes the vital role of project management in driving Africa’s development agenda. He asserts that project management should not be a secondary consideration but rather a central pillar of development strategies. Recognizing the dynamic and often challenging environment in which African projects operate, Asamani stresses the need to prioritize efficient and impactful project delivery. The summit serves as a platform to elevate project management as a key driver of successful outcomes and sustainable growth across the continent.
The PMI Global Summit Series Africa 2025 boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, drawing expertise from a diverse range of sectors. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, will deliver a keynote address, setting the stage for three days of in-depth discussions and knowledge sharing. Other prominent speakers include Armand Nzeyimana, Director of the Development Impact and Results Department at the AfDB; Olajumoke Akinwunmi, Managing Director of Real Estate at Alitheia Capital Ltd.; Kusobile Kamwambi, Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, Government of Zambia; and Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, former Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana. These speakers will offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing project delivery across various sectors.
Adding a unique perspective to the summit, cultural icons such as Nigerian-American singer and entrepreneur Olubankole Wellington (Banky W) and chess champion and Guinness World Record holder Tunde Onakoya will share their experiences on innovation, creativity, and social impact. Their contributions will highlight the power of creativity and strategic thinking in driving positive change and achieving ambitious goals. In addition, seasoned project management professionals from across Africa, including Stanley Iringe-Koko of MTN Nigeria, Grace Johnson of the Framework for AI Transformation, and Ancicalia Matizha of Old Mutual Zimbabwe, will offer practical insights on building resilient institutions and project systems capable of delivering tangible results.
The summit will also feature active participation from PMI Chapter Presidents representing various African nations, including Ghana, Kenya, Angola, Togo, Namibia, and Rwanda. This collaborative approach underscores the importance of peer-to-peer learning and community-driven solutions in driving Africa’s transformation. Billy Mwape, Chief Information Officer of FNB Zambia and a key speaker at the summit, underscores the urgency of translating planning into action. He emphasizes the high stakes involved in African projects, where complex conditions demand effective execution and tangible outcomes. The summit aims to foster the collaboration and clarity needed to realize the ambitious vision of Agenda 2063, a framework for sustainable and inclusive development across the continent. The event promises to be a powerful catalyst for progress, facilitating critical conversations and driving collaborative efforts to address the continent’s multifaceted project delivery challenges.
