Project managers urged to strengthen accountability and professionalism in project delivery

George Asamani, Managing Director of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Sub-Saharan Africa, said only about 2 per cent of project management practitioners in the region were certified, highlighting the need to strengthen professional standards and skills development.

Speaking during the PMI Kenya Summit and Gala Awards 2026 in Nairobi, Asamani said Kenya faced growing demand for qualified project management professionals, with the country expected to require between 223,000 and 247,000 practitioners by 2035, up from approximately 150,000 currently.

He said effective project management was critical in translating strategic ambitions and resources into meaningful economic and social outcomes.

Asamani cautioned that weaknesses in project planning, governance, supervision and execution often undermine development initiatives, leading to wastage of public resources, poorly implemented infrastructure and, in some cases, loss of lives.

He challenged practitioners to seek professional certification and register with recognised professional bodies, noting that only about 25,000 of the estimated 2.5 million project management practitioners in Sub-Saharan Africa were certified.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Corporation (REREC) Chief Executive Officer Dr Rose Mkalama urged project implementers to prioritise the impact of their initiatives on intended beneficiaries, saying successful project delivery should be measured by the value created for communities.

PMI Kenya Chapter President Maureen Ochang said the profession needed to prepare a new generation of project managers equipped to deliver measurable results amid changing economic and technological demands.

She called for stronger collaboration between universities, employers and professional associations to improve mentorship, practical training and professional development.

The summit and awards ceremony, held under the theme Strategy to Execution: Driving Value Through Project Excellence, brought together industry leaders to discuss ways of improving project delivery and recognising outstanding performance.

Among the institutions recognised for implementing impactful projects were the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), REREC and Faulu Kenya.

The institute also highlighted the growing importance of digital literacy, artificial intelligence, risk management and strategic leadership in strengthening the capacity of project managers to navigate emerging challenges.

It said adherence to professional standards and improved project governance would be essential in ensuring that investments in infrastructure, technology and other development sectors deliver sustainable economic and social value.