By Eddah Waithaka
The Project Management Institute (PMI) Sub-Saharan Africa is guiding top African government officials and corporate executives on an intensive study tour across China, dissecting the systems behind one of the world’s most formidable project delivery engines.
The delegation featuring representatives from South Africa’s Department of Public Works, NetOne, and the University of South Africa is scrutinizing China’s blueprint for talent development, large-scale execution, and organizational agility, key drivers of its global competitiveness.
Hands-On Learning with China’s Giants
The team is engaging with Chinese powerhouses like ZTE Corporation and China Communications Construction Company, witnessing the disciplined processes enabling China’s rapid infrastructure rollouts.
High-level roundtables, the China PMO Symposium, and meetings with Tsinghua University and the China International Talent Exchange Foundation (CITEF) will reveal how China institutionalizes project management as a national advantage.
“China built its execution muscle from zero through strategy, certification programs, and relentless discipline,”said George Asamani, PMI’s Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa.
“This tour isn’t just observation; it’s about adapting these lessons to fuel Africa’s own transformation.”
Bridging Africa’s Project Talent Gap
The timing is critical. With China pledging $51 billion in new African development financing, the continent faces a stark shortage of certified project professionals currently just 2% of the needed workforce.
As digital and industrial projects multiply, the delegation’s mission to extract scalable models for training and execution could reshape Africa’s delivery capacity.
A Two-Way Exchange for Future Collaboration
Chinese firms, expanding aggressively in Africa, also gain from the exchange. “Sharing China’s project management journey helps both continents,” noted Bob Chen, PMI China’s Managing Director.
The visit lays groundwork for aligned partnerships, blending China’s technical expertise.
For Asamani, the takeaway is clear, “Project management must shift from the sidelines to the core of Africa’s strategy. This trip signals our commitment to a culture where projects don’t just launch—they succeed.”
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