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By Adewale Banjo
African Development Bank (AfDB), in partnership with the Project Management Institute (PMI), is strengthening the internal capacity of its staff through a structured project management training and certification programme.
The PMI Managing Director, Sub Saharan Africa, George Asamani, said the partnership would see an initial cohort of 200 AfDB staff being equipped with advanced project management skills, fostering greater efficiency and success across its extensive portfolio of development projects.
Through the partnership, Asamani said AfDB wants to accelerate its project management expertise.
By empowering an initial cohort of trained professionals, he said, the bank was nurturing a culture that would prioritise excellence and effective project execution.
He said with AfDB’s focus on delivering transformative projects, robust project management practices are essential to navigate the complexities inherent in each priority area, mitigate risks, and maximise project success.
“Ultimately, strong project management underpins the bank’s mission to drive tangible progress across Africa, empowering regional member countries to achieve their development goals.
“PMI plays a critical role in supporting this mission by enhancing the ‘bankability’ of projects, ensuring they are not only well-executed but also deliver measurable impact.
“As the project management landscape evolves rapidly, partnering with PMI enables the bank to access the latest methodologies, including PMI’s advancements in AI-driven project management tools. This collaboration places the AfDB at the forefront of best practices, empowering teams to tackle complex, large-scale projects with enhanced adaptability, agility, and the assurance of delivering measurable outcomes aligned with the bank’s ambitious development goals,” Asamani said
According to him, the institute would deliver a comprehensive training programme tailored to AfDB’s unique operational needs, beginning with its membership for 200 AfDB employees. He said membership would grant staff access to the institute’s extensive global network, resources, tools, and industry insights, fostering professional growth and connection within the broader project management community.
Given the continent-wide scope of its projects, AfDB recognises that skill levels across markets vary significantly. By investing in its staff’s project management capabilities, AfDB seeks to mitigate risks, reduce project delays, and maximise value. Through the partnership with PMI, the bank aims to achieve a higher standard of project execution that will serve as a benchmark for development projects across the continent.
Under the visionary leadership of Akinwumi Adesina, president of AfDB, the institution has consistently emphasised the importance of building internal capacity to ensure effective project delivery.
His steadfast advocacy for strengthening project management capabilities has been instrumental in shaping the bank’s strategic approach to tackling development challenges. This partnership with the PMI reflects his commitment to empowering teams with the skills needed to deliver transformative projects that drive sustainable growth across Africa.
