Africa Faces 57% Talent Gap in Construction Management

A report from the Project Management Institute (PMI) highlights a significant 57% talent gap in the construction project management profession in Sub-Saharan Africa, forecasting a shortfall of nearly 150,000 professionals by 2035. The demand for construction project professionals is expected to rise from 260,000 in 2025 to 410,000 by 2035, driven by demographic growth and urban expansion.

The report underscores the paradox of the region's growth story, where construction contributes significantly to GDP and job creation yet remains plagued by inefficiencies. PMI estimates that approximately 10% of global project investment is lost annually due to poor performance, translating to billions in unrealized value.

Georg Asamani, PMI's Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizes the need for improved project management capabilities to mitigate risks such as delays and cost overruns. The report also notes that Ethiopia leads in project demand growth at 7.8% annually, highlighting the urgent need for effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders to address inefficiencies and financial waste.