Sub-Saharan Africa’s ambitious infrastructure drive could face major delivery challenges due to a severe shortage of skilled construction project professionals, according to a new report by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
The report warns that the region could experience a 57 per cent talent gap by 2035, potentially slowing progress on major infrastructure projects across the continent.
The warning comes as African governments accelerate investment under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), a continental initiative designed to close infrastructure gaps by 2040 through more than 400 priority projects in energy, transport, ICT and transboundary water systems.
With over $360 billion already committed, PIDA is expected to play a critical role in boosting regional integration, industrialisation and long-term economic growth across Africa.
However, PMI research indicates that demand for construction project professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa will rise sharply from about 260,000 in 2025 to more than 410,000 by 2035, leaving a shortfall of nearly 150,000 professionals.
The shortage reflects a wider global trend, with PMI estimating that the world will require about 2.5 million additional construction project professionals by 2035 to meet rising infrastructure demand.
According to PMI Sub-Saharan Africa Managing Director George Asamani, the success of the continent’s development ambitions depends heavily on improving project management capabilities.
“Construction sits at the heart of the region’s development ambitions,” Asamani said. “From transport corridors and energy infrastructure to housing, healthcare and digital connectivity, projects are the vehicles through which we build our future.”
He warned that without strong project management skills, governments risk delays, cost overruns and lost value in major public investments.
PMI data shows that about 10 per cent of global project investment is lost annually due to poor project performance, highlighting the scale of inefficiencies that could affect infrastructure spending.
The report notes that construction projects often involve complex coordination among multiple stakeholders, including governments, regulators, contractors, financiers, communities and environmental agencies. Poor communication and collaboration among these groups frequently leads to duplication of work, design changes and costly project delays.
The pressure is growing as the region experiences rapid population growth, urbanisation and expanding regional trade.
PMI identifies Sub-Saharan Africa as the region with the highest percentage growth in demand for construction project professionals globally, with countries such as Ethiopia projected to experience annual demand growth rates of 7.8 per cent.
Despite construction being a major contributor to GDP growth, the sector has historically lagged behind other industries in productivity and technology adoption.
The report highlights digital solutions such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins and artificial intelligence as critical tools that could improve efficiency, increase transparency and reduce costly errors in infrastructure delivery.
Employers across the region report shortages in both technical project management skills, including planning and scheduling, and leadership competencies such as stakeholder engagement and collaborative management.
At the same time, infrastructure financing is increasingly linked to environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, creating demand for project managers capable of integrating sustainability considerations into project delivery.
PMI says closing the talent gap will require more than recruitment, urging governments and industry players to invest in training, professional development and structured career pathways for project professionals.
Specialised certifications such as the PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP) programme are being promoted to equip professionals with skills needed to manage the growing complexity of modern infrastructure projects.
“If we want infrastructure to be a true engine of GDP growth, we must professionalise the way we deliver it,” Asamani said.
“We cannot afford to treat training as a cost. It is an investment in national competitiveness.”
