Nigeria must prepare for fossil fuel depletion – PMI boss, Asamani

The Managing Director of Project Management Institute, Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, speaks to FALAIYE HENRY about energy transition in Africa and the involvement of project managers, among other issues

What’s the current state of project management in Africa?

Project management in Africa is in an exciting position. We are seeing rapid growth across various sectors, from infrastructure and energy to technology and agriculture. What is particularly encouraging is the increasing recognition of the value that professional project management brings to these initiatives. African nations are realising that to achieve their development goals and visions for the future, they need skilled project managers who can effectively plan, execute, and deliver complex projects.

At the same time, we are facing unique challenges. The continent’s diverse economic landscape means that project management practices must often be adapted to local contexts. We also see a growing demand for project managers who can navigate the complexities of sustainability, digital transformation, and cross-border collaborations. PMI empowers communities across Africa by offering gold-standard certifications like PMP, PMI-CP, and CAPM, along with training and networking opportunities to strengthen the project management community.

How is Africa’s energy reform affecting job creation?

When we consider Africa’s energy reform, it is crucial to recognise its dual significance. Not only does it address the environmental impact of fossil fuels, but it also confronts the challenge of finite resources. Fossil fuels are non-renewable, and although their depletion might be far in the future, it’s a reality we must prepare for. Globally, the energy transition is vital for sustainability, affecting both the planet and humanity. In Africa, this transition is paramount due to existing energy shortages. While many African countries have made strides in increasing energy supply, demand continues to outpace availability. This necessitates closing the energy gap and focusing on renewable energy.

Several African nations are at the forefront of this shift. Senegal, an unlikely renewable energy hotspot, with oil and gas driving its forecasted 8.8 per cent GDP growth in 2024, aims to generate as much as 40 per cent clean energy by 2030. Ghana’s $2bn Ada Foah project is set to produce 1,000 megawatts of power by capturing tidal wave energy in the Gulf of Guinea. Even oil-rich Nigeria is calling for renewables to meet 60 per cent of the country’s energy demands by 2050. In South Africa, some 66GW of wind and solar projects are at various stages of development, with 18GW at an advanced stage. These efforts present substantial opportunities for job creation.

How are project managers involved in this transition?

Across Africa, project managers are already playing a key role in these developments. However, the shift to renewable energy requires not only the creation of new jobs but also the retraining of professionals within the energy sector to ensure they possess the necessary skills in sustainability and renewable energy. Thus, the energy transition in Africa is not only about meeting energy demands but also about creating and transforming jobs through the adoption of innovative technologies.

What can you say about clean jobs outpacing those in fossil fuels?

The statement that clean jobs are outpacing those in the fossil fuel sector marks a significant shift in the global energy landscape. Traditionally dominated by fossil fuels, the energy sector is now transitioning rapidly towards clean energy, driven by urgent post-pandemic measures and unprecedented financial support from governments. Over the past two years, clean energy investment has surged by 40 per cent, creating a robust demand for workers in clean sectors. According to the 2023 World Energy Employment Report, clean energy jobs have risen to 35 million globally, surpassing fossil fuel employment, which has remained stagnant at 32 million jobs.

This growth in clean energy employment is not just a short-term trend but reflects a broader shift towards sustainability. Many of these new jobs are in construction and manufacturing, sectors that have seen significant expansion as the world moves towards a greener economy. Looking ahead, the demand for skilled professionals in the clean energy sector will only intensify, especially in regions like Africa, which needs to double its energy investment to achieve its development goals by 2030. Cultivating a certified pool of project professionals, particularly in project management, should be a strategic priority for regions aiming for energy sufficiency. As modern technologies continue to reshape the construction industry and the broader energy sector, focusing on building a skilled and certified workforce will be crucial for driving successful outcomes in the global energy transition.

There’s been a surge in Africa’s gaming industry. How has this also impacted on job creation?

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing rapid growth in the gaming industry, driven by a significant uptick in smartphone adoption, which is expected to reach 87 per cent by 2030. With a young population averaging about 19 years old, the gaming community in Africa has more than doubled to nearly 200 million in just five years. This surge in interest has positioned the region as one of the fastest-growing markets in the global gaming industry, projected to surpass 1bn in 2024.

South Africa and Kenya are leading this charge, emerging as key players in the region’s gaming landscape. South Africa, in particular, stands out with an average revenue per user of up to $25 per year and accounted for approximately $266m in video game spending last year. Although smaller in scale, Kenya is also seeing substantial growth, with increasing investment from venture capital firms like Bitkraft and Sony, further fuelling the sector’s expansion.

This booming industry is not just a source of entertainment but a significant driver of job creation across the continent. The gaming sector is creating new job opportunities, particularly in programming, design, and project management. Structured project management methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum, are increasingly important in managing complex tasks, resources, and timelines to develop successful video games. As the global gaming market is projected to reach over $500bn by 2025, the role of skilled project managers will be critical in sustaining and advancing the interactive entertainment sector in Africa.

Which other job-creating sectors are thriving on the continent?

Regarding job-creating sectors in Africa, several industries stand out, notably technology, mining, and renewables. The technology sector, including the rapidly growing gaming industry, is creating significant new employment opportunities across the continent. Similarly, the renewable energy sector is booming due to the global shift from fossil fuels to clean energy. This transition requires upskilling existing professionals in sustainability and creating new roles that demand specialised skills, leading to substantial job creation.

The African Continental Free Trade Area could be a game-changer for the continent. Intra-African trade accounts for only about 14 per cent of total trade, significantly lower than other regions like Europe or North America. To make AfCFTA work effectively, there is a critical need to develop infrastructure—such as power, transport, and communication networks—to facilitate seamless trade and economic integration across the continent. This infrastructure development will, in turn, create jobs and drive economic growth. Moreover, as sectors like technology and renewables benefit from AfCFTA, there will be an increased demand for competent project managers to deliver these projects efficiently and effectively. According to PMI’s Talent Gap Report, the world will need over 25m project managers by the end of the decade, with Sub-Saharan Africa seeing the highest demand.

How has Generative AI contributed to increased productivity and effectiveness of project managers?

GenAI has significantly contributed to project managers’ increased productivity and effectiveness in several ways. Firstly, automation of routine tasks is a standout benefit. GenAI tools automate many administrative and repetitive tasks that typically consume a project manager’s time. By managing these duties, GenAI allows project managers to focus on more complex and strategic activities, enhancing their overall effectiveness and freeing up valuable time for decision-making and problem-solving.

In addition to automation, GenAI has greatly improved project planning. These AI tools can analyse vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, leading to more efficient and precise planning. This capability helps forecast potential issues, optimise resource allocation, and maintain project schedules and budgets. The result is a more streamlined planning process, reducing the likelihood of delays and cost overruns.

Another critical area where GenAI has made an impact is stakeholder management. GenAI tools can assist in identifying and analyzing stakeholder needs and interests, helping project managers craft more robust stakeholder engagement strategies. By providing data-driven insights, GenAI enables project managers to better align stakeholder expectations with project goals. This ultimately leads to more successful project outcomes. Overall, GenAI has transformed how project managers operate, enabling them to work more efficiently, make better decisions, and manage projects more precisely.

    Can you provide examples of how GenAl is boosting collaboration and creativity among high adopters?

The PMI Job Trends 2024 report highlights how GenAI is significantly enhancing essential ‘power skills’ among trailblazers (high adopters of GenAI), particularly in collaboration and creativity. It also improves team communication by offering capabilities like real-time note-taking and summarising discussions, ensuring all members understand project updates and changes.

In terms of boosting creativity, GenAI generates diverse ideas and solutions by drawing on extensive data sets, which can introduce innovative approaches that might not be immediately apparent. Furthermore, GenAI can provide cross-industry insights, fostering unique, creative solutions by applying lessons and ideas from various sectors. These enhancements in collaboration and creativity improve productivity and problem-solving and give Trailblazers a distinct competitive advantage, paving the way for these skills to become indispensable in modern project management practices.

How important is prompt engineering in leveraging the full potential of GenAl, and what steps are being taken to master this skill?

Prompt engineering is crucial in leveraging GenAI’s full potential as it directly affects the effectiveness and accuracy of the AI’s outputs. Prompt engineering involves crafting inputs (or ‘prompts’) that guide the AI to produce the desired outputs. This skill is essential because even the most advanced AI models depend heavily on the quality and specificity of their input to generate helpful and contextually appropriate responses.

Recognising the importance of prompt engineering, organizations are taking several steps to master this skill among their teams. Firstly, they are incorporating specific training modules focused on teaching the art and science of prompt engineering. These training sessions often include hands-on exercises that allow employees to experiment with different types of prompts, understand the nuances of language models, and see firsthand how variations in prompts can lead to vastly different outcomes.

Additionally, organisations are creating guidelines and best practices for prompt engineering. These resources help standardise approaches across teams, ensuring all users have a reference point for developing effective prompts. This standardisation helps maintain a consistent quality of outputs across different projects and departments.

What initiatives is PMI undertaking to support project professionals in adopting GenAl, such as PMI Infinity and the new Prompt Library?

PMI is at the forefront of transforming the project management profession through AI, ensuring that project managers stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world. With initiatives like PMI Infinity™, an AI-powered assistant already used by over 40,000 professionals since its launch, PMI is enhancing productivity and efficiency by providing a trusted knowledge platform sourced from the global community of project managers. Additionally, PMI’s new Prompt Library standardises AI tool usage across teams, while courses such as ‘Generative AI Overview for Project Managers’ and ‘Talking to AI: Prompt Engineering for PMs’ equip professionals with the skills to integrate AI into their daily tasks, with over 200,000 signups so far.

PMI’s commitment to innovation is further demonstrated by the launch of an AI-powered PMP Exam Simulator, helping professionals prepare for certification with advanced, AI-driven insights. Through these efforts, PMI ensures that project managers are not just adapting to AI technologies but are leading the transformation of project management into a more efficient, effective, and future-ready discipline.

Can you shed some light on the theme of the GSS | Africa?

The PMI Global Summit Series | Africa is the continent’s largest and most influential project management gathering. It convenes a diverse mix of voices from the government, private sector, African diaspora, and promising young talents to exchange ideas, foster collaboration, and accelerate learning. Last year’s summit rallied attendees under the theme, ‘Africa We Want: Together We Can’, highlighting a shared vision for Africa’s future through unity and collective action. This year’s theme, ‘Africa: On Purpose’, is evolutionary and marks a shift from envisioning potential futures to strategically implementing and executing these visions with intentionality.

For years, we have talked about Agenda 2063, the Africa we want, and the idea that it’s Africa’s time to rise as the next global giant. Every African country has its vision, whether Vision 2030 or Vision 2050. However, unless we intentionally and purposefully execute these plans, they will remain just dreams.

That is why we’re inviting key stakeholders from across Africa and around the world—those responsible for making critical decisions and accountable for translating these visions into reality. We also have a vast community of project managers who will be in attendance, ready to share their insights on executing meaningful projects and ensuring that we intentionally achieve our goals. Together, we can turn these dreams into reality.

When you hosted it in Nigeria in 2022, it was known as the PMI Africa Conference. What has prompted the change? Who should attend the conference?

The rebranding better aligns the continent’s biggest gathering of project professionals with the prestigious PMI Global Summit, offering attendees a unified and consistent experience to uphold the lofty standards and interactive environment expected at major PMI events. Rwanda will host the PMI Global Summit Series | Africa this year at the Kigali Convention Centre from November 18 to 20, 2024. Last year, the event was held in Nairobi, Kenya, and attracted over 700 project professionals from Africa and many parts of the world.

In its ninth year, PMI Africa’s flagship event brings together project managers from diverse backgrounds to share critical insights and foster enhanced collaboration. It serves as a vibrant platform to exchange knowledge and best practices. As PMI Global Summit Series | Africa, it will continue this rich tradition aimed at advancing the field of project management. By creating an environment that encourages networking, dialogue, and partnership, the Summit will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the careers of project managers and elevating the standards of project execution.

What is the future of project management in Africa?

The future of project management in Africa is incredibly promising. Project managers will be key in turning visions into reality as the continent stands on the brink of significant growth and transformation. My advice to professionals and aspiring project managers in Africa is to continuously invest in their skills and knowledge. One of the most effective ways to do this is by obtaining globally recognized certifications from PMI, such as the CAPM for youth and early-career professionals, the PMP for those with more experience, and the PMI-CP for individuals in the construction industry. These certifications are not just credentials; they equip you with the tools, methodologies, and best practices needed to manage projects effectively.

As Africa embarks on ambitious projects in renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and economic integration through initiatives like AfCFTA, having certified project management skills will be invaluable. These certifications will help you stand out in the job market, contribute more effectively to your organisation, and play a crucial role in turning Africa’s visions into reality. By investing in these certifications, you are not just advancing your career. You are also positioning yourself as a key player in Africa’s growth and transformation.