General News
Africa’s Infrastructure Imperative to Drive Demand for Project Management Skills
Around the world, a widening gap exists between the need for project management professionals and the available workforce to fill these vital, rewarding roles.
George Asamani
According to the Project Management Institute (PMI), the global economy needs 25 million new project professionals by 2030, as increasing jobs require project management-oriented skills. The rapid expansion stems in part from the global economy becoming increasingly project-oriented.
Demand is especially significant in developing economies like South Africa and Nigeria, with nearly every organisation needing skilled project managers to drive change and innovation. It will be critical to upskill the current workforce and introduce project management to a new generation of professionals to meet demand.
According to McKinsey, the volume and value of current African infrastructure projects is immense, estimated at some $2.5 trillion in active projects to be completed by 2025. However, it must be noted that not all those projects come to fruition, as more than 50% remain in the feasibility stage of development.
“Every sector you can think of, from healthcare, construction, finance, and manufacturing to information technology and fintech, all require project management talent. The pivotal role played by a project manager and other stakeholders in building infrastructure can raise countries’ productivity and drive the economy,” says George Asamani, MD, SSA, PMI, on International Project Management Day.
The IPMD is marked on the first Thursday of November.
Project managers make ideas a reality. As organisations strive to remain competitive, project managers have the complex task of executing the strategy. They bring immense value to the business with their ability to see the “devil in the details.”
“The ability of project managers to manage scope, time, and cost coupled with analytical proficiency, communication, and problem-solving skills has resulted in a surge of hiring in industries traditionally less project-focused like healthcare,” adds Asamani.
“The pandemic may have caught the world by surprise, but the ensuing race against time to develop, mass produce, and double vaccinate global populations was a success made possible by project managers.”
Operation Warp Speed was a remarkable project management success that resulted in developing two life-saving Covid-19 vaccines in 11 months! OWP’s accelerated processes for problem-solving can be applied to other projects.
As workplace roles in healthcare and other industries evolve to center on specific projects rather than static responsibilities, many jobs are becoming project-driven, resulting in greater demand for project management talent. Organisations and governments with a long-term view on infrastructure must recognise the need and move swiftly to address it through upskilling and reskilling.
Employees with the potential to become effective project managers may jump at the chance when considering the financial benefits of obtaining a job in this high-demand field. A recent PMI salary survey across 40 countries has reported that people with a PMP certification report median salaries that are 16% higher than those without the certification. Half of the respondents (50%) said that their compensation (including salary, bonus, and other cash incentives) had increased over the 12 months before completing the salary survey.
According to the Talent Gap report, in 2019, salaries for project management-related roles in the U.S. were, on average, 78% higher than other jobs in project-heavy industries.
The increasing complexity of projects and evolving market needs driven by advances in technology approaches and techniques are putting project managers under enormous pressure to stay abreast of new development. Continuous learning and building on existing knowledge, skills, and the latest best practices enable project managers to flex their muscle memory to drive change and innovation.
“I continue to encourage project managers and budding project managers and those whose success relies on project managers to – keep your skills and knowledge up to date, keep growing your network and keep developing your power skills. Our research shows that project success not only depends on your technical execution and the iron triangle of scope, cost, and time but also on your power skills,” says Asamani.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has said the federal government considers religious violence an attack on the Nigerian state, stressing that the protection of all citizens, regardless of faith, is non-negotiable.
According to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, Ribadu made the remarks in Abuja at the close of a US–Nigeria Joint Working Group session.
“Nigeria is a deeply plural society, and the protection of all citizens, Christians, Muslims, and those of other beliefs, is non-negotiable,” Ribadu said.
“Violence framed along religious lines is treated as an attack on the Nigerian state itself.”
In a follow-up post on X, Ribadu said the joint working group has recorded “tangible operational gains” in the fight against terrorism.
The working group was set up following Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) by US President Donald Trump, a label that often triggers policy actions aimed at ending severe violations of religious freedom.
At the meeting, Ribadu led Nigeria’s delegation, which included representatives from 10 ministries and agencies, while the US delegation, made up of eight federal agencies, was led by Allison Hooker, US under-secretary of state.
Ribadu said Nigeria-US security cooperation has moved from dialogue to action, resulting in the disruption of terrorist networks and transnational criminal groups. He also praised the US for supplying drones, helicopters, platforms, spare parts, and other support systems over the past five years.
Speaking at the session, Hooker said the US was committed to expanding its partnership with Nigeria, particularly on deterring violence against Christian communities.
“Today, we are here to discuss how we can work together to deter violence against Christian communities, prioritising counter-terrorism, insecurity, investigation of attacks, and holding perpetrators accountable,” she said.
She added that efforts would focus on reducing killings, forced displacement, and abductions of Christians, especially in Nigeria’s north-central states
For many Nigerians, fintech apps are judged by one simple question: Can I trust the platform? For Happiness, a young Nigerian entrepreneur, the answer manifested in the most defining moments of her life.
Trust Built Through Everyday Use
In 2025, Happiness relied on PalmPay to run her business, from receiving customer payments, paying vendors, and managing daily transactions. During PalmPay’s Hustle Grant Campaign, she joined thousands of small business owners hoping to win the N500,000 funding.
While she didn’t make the shortlist, the campaign gave her business something just as valuable: visibility. New customers discovered her brand, enquiries increased, and sales followed.
PalmPay didn’t just host a campaign; it created an ecosystem where small businesses could be seen and supported.
Just days later, Happiness’ life changed. On August 30, 2025, she lost her father. With this loss came challenges, especially payments. They tried transferring money through regular banks but were met with declined transactions. Happiness suggested using her PalmPay account and it was successful.
In a moment defined by loss and urgency, PalmPay cut through the chaos, proving that reliability isn’t a feature, it’s a lifeline. Happiness’ relationship with PalmPay didn’t stop at transactions. Through other management tools on the app, she learned to build discipline around her finances.
More Than an App, a Financial Partner
Beyond transactions, PalmPay’s tools helped Happiness build better money habits and financial discipline. Today, the brand continues to reward reliability through initiatives like its ongoing Premier Cool campaign, reinforcing a simple message: consistency should come with value.
The idea is simple: Purchase a bar of soap and stand a chance to get ₦10,000cash and other cash benefits.
It’s PalmPay’s way of saying that smart money habits deserve real value in return.
Why PalmPay Earns Trust
Life doesn’t give warnings before it tests you. When it does, you need a platform that doesn’t just usually work but always works.
For many users, PalmPay proves to be more than a payment app. It is a trusted partner powering ambitions, supporting users through defining life moments, while helping them bank smartly.
When it mattered most, PalmPay worked. To watch the full testimonial visit: @palmpayapp_ng
Google Search data from the first two weeks of 2026 reveals Nigerians are prioritising ambition, self-growth, and entrepreneurial ventures as they embrace the new year with renewed drive for personal and professional excellence.
The data shows a 40 per cent spike in searches related to self-improvement and “becoming better”, reflecting a nationwide shift from mere resolutions to actionable plans across boardrooms, classrooms, and homes. Entrepreneurship leads the charge, with “how to start a business” topping “how to start” queries after an 80 per cent surge, alongside rising interest in blogging, podcasting, and YouTube channels to foster economic opportunities.
Personal development dominates, as searches for “how to be a better person” rose 20 per cent, extending to relationships with queries on becoming better lovers, partners, husbands, wives, and listeners. Health resolutions gain traction, with 40 per cent increases in “how to eat healthy”, “healthy diet”, and “how to meditate” underscoring commitments to physical vitality and mental wellness.
Skill mastery captivates diverse audiences, from “how to improve English” and communication skills to enhancing memory, credit scores, and even handwriting, while leisure pursuits spike in “how to get better at” chess, singing, running, Fortnite, and soccer. Top searches include “how to improve communication skills”, “how to be a better listener”, and entrepreneurial starters like “how to start a podcast”, painting a portrait of a nation honing edges for success.
Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Communications and Public Affairs Manager for West Africa at Google, described the trends as a “powerful reflection of Nigeria’s collective ambition”, affirming the company’s dedication to tools like Search and Gemini for guiding Nigerians toward prosperity
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