Nigeria and several other African countries are currently engaging China on how to improve project delivery, capacity building, and professional certification across the continent. The engagement is part of a high-level visit led by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Sub-Saharan Africa, aimed at learning from China’s well-established systems in large-scale infrastructure execution and professional development.
The strategic delegation includes top government officials and corporate leaders from across Africa. The team is touring key Chinese institutions and organisations to observe how China built its global reputation in project management and infrastructure delivery. Some of the organisations visited include ZTE Corporation, China Communications Construction Company Ltd, CNPC Engineering & Construction Company, Hengbao Co. Ltd, and the prestigious Tsinghua University.
During the visit, the African delegation is expected to participate in the China PMO Symposium, engage in high-level business-to-business roundtables, and meet with the China International Talent Exchange Foundation, the Chinese government agency that works with PMI on capacity development projects.
Speaking on the purpose of the trip, the Managing Director of PMI Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. George Asamani, said the visit was a valuable opportunity to learn from a country that developed its project delivery structure through deliberate planning and investment in people.
“This visit is an opportunity to observe a country that has built a global reputation for delivery,” Asamani said. “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.”
According to PMI, the delegation includes senior officials from important institutions such as the South African 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, among others.
PMI added that the trip is not only a knowledge exchange mission but also part of a global effort to build strong institutions that can deliver infrastructure, digital, and social transformation across Africa. The institute said that as technology and markets continue to evolve, the role of professional project management becomes even more critical, especially in developing regions.
In Africa, where urbanisation, industrialisation, and digital transformation are happening at a fast pace, the need for skilled project professionals is becoming urgent. However, PMI noted that Sub-Saharan Africa currently accounts for only two per cent of the certified project managers needed to drive growth and development across the continent.
The institute pointed out that the timing of the visit coincides with China’s announcement of $51 billion in new financial commitments to support industrial, social, and digital projects in Africa over the next three years. This shows China’s growing interest in long-term partnerships with African countries.
Bob Chen, the Managing Director of PMI China, welcomed the African delegation and emphasised that China’s success in development was largely due to the institutionalisation of project management principles.
“We are honoured to welcome this distinguished delegation from Africa,” Chen said. “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.”
The visit is expected to provide African officials with real-world examples of how project management principles are applied across public systems, infrastructure supply chains, and corporate strategy. Delegates will return home with insights that can be adapted to local contexts in Nigeria and other countries, helping to improve execution and project outcomes.
Asamani further stressed the importance of embedding project management culture into national and corporate structures across Africa.
“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,” he said. “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.”
The PMI-led visit is seen as a significant step towards strengthening Africa’s ability to deliver large-scale projects, ensuring that the continent can meet growing development demands with the right talent, tools, and strategic discipline.
