South Africa faces a significant shortage of project managers, affecting infrastructure development. With growing business confidence and potential new investments, the demand for skilled project management professionals is expected to rise sharply.
Even before the Government of National Unity, which has brought with it new business confidence and the potential for more developments, there is a shortage of project managers. This shortage spans industries and is an issue South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed during his State of the Nation Address last year, highlighting “a lack of technical skills and project management capacity” as one of the greatest obstacles to infrastructure investment.
With the potential for additional capital investment under the new administration, the demand for skilled project managers will only intensify, says George Asamani, managing director for sub-Saharan Africa at the Project Management Institute (PMI).
“South Africa has strong strategies, particularly around improving infrastructure, but the real challenge is in effective execution. Proper project management is the key to turning these strategies into tangible results,” says George. He emphasises that this need extends beyond South Africa, with major projects across the African continent also requiring skilled project management to ensure success.
Africa’s vision for the future, as outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063, includes 15 mega-projects that will drive the continent forward. Additionally, the African Development Bank has several crucial projects in the pipeline. “If these are executed well, Africa will move forward significantly,” George adds.
“Project management is both an art and a science – it’s about getting things done and done well. It’s a skill set that gives companies a competitive edge,” George explains. Project managers ensure that implementations not only run on time and on budget but also meet strategic objectives, improving productivity and profitability.
Moreover, effective project management ensures transparency. Companies can track exactly where their investments are going, preventing wasteful spending and ensuring that the broader economy benefits from increased investment.
To further the conversation on project management’s evolving role, PMI recently launched its most ambitious research initiative in its 55-year history. This research challenges traditional views of project success, introducing a broader definition: success is delivering value that justifies the effort and expense. This approach shifts the focus from simply meeting deadlines to achieving tangible results that matter to stakeholders.
The study also reveals that project success varies by industry. Sectors such as industrials, construction and healthcare report the highest success rates, while government and consulting sectors lag behind. Projects that create social impact are 1.6 times more likely to be deemed successful, underscoring the growing importance of value-focused project management.
“We have a project management capability gap, particularly in South Africa. We don’t have enough people with the skills needed to execute the projects we are investing billions in,” George says.
PMI, as a not-for-profit organisation, is the leading global authority on project management. With over 735,000 members and more than 1.7 million certified professionals worldwide, PMI is committed to helping organisations achieve project success.
George explains that businesses today are more project-oriented than ever before, a trend that originated with Henry Ford’s operational focus on production lines. However, today’s companies are not just implementing projects – they are strategically managing them to ensure long-term success and adaptability.
According to PMI’s 2024 Pulse of the Profession report, “Organisations have shifted toward flexible, fit-for-purpose project delivery practices as they face new challenges driven by post-pandemic effects and increased digitalisation.” The report highlights that the use of hybrid project delivery approaches increased from 20% in 2020 to 31% in 2023.
“It’s essential that project managers are deeply connected to the organisation’s strategy. They must fully understand and align with it, ensuring that every project drives the strategic goals forward,” George says.
However, buy-in from leadership is equally crucial. George emphasises that successful project management requires “power skills,” often referred to as soft skills. “Today’s project managers need not only technical expertise but also emotional intelligence. They must understand how to manage projects with empathy and adaptability, ensuring human factors are considered alongside technical ones.”
Additionally, upskilling staff with certifications and career progression opportunities is key to employee retention in today’s remote work environment. George explains, “By helping employees become more skilled, companies can boost job satisfaction and loyalty, ensuring that employees remain invested in the company’s growth.”
