Tag: Project Management Institute

  • PMI committed to digital transformation

    PMI committed to digital transformation

    United States-based organization, Project Management Institute (PMI), has restated its commitment to the digital transformation of Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

    Its Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, who spoke of the organization’s readiness to take part in Tech Revolution Africa Conference 2025 scheduled for Oriental Hotel, Lagos, between  January 31st and February 1, said: “Technological innovation is accelerating across Africa, creating both opportunities and challenges.

    At PMI, we are dedicated to empowering the tech ecosystem with the skills and certifications to manage this complexity, deliver successful projects, and shape a brighter future.”

    The organization explained that effective project management is critical to ensuring success as digital transformation reshapes industries across the continent, adding that PMI’s certifications, like the Project Management Professional (PMP), are globally recognised as the gold standard for project leaders, equipping them with the tools and methodologies needed to drive innovation and deliver results. The need for structured project execution, stakeholder management, and strategic planning is growing rapidly, especially as organisations navigate complex technological shifts, it added.

    He said PMI, as the leading authority in project management, will showcase industry-leading certifications and offerings tailored for technology professionals, entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, and innovators at the Tech Revolution Africa Conference 2025.

    PMI’s participation at the event reflects its focus on connecting with a diverse audience critical to Africa’s technological growth.

    PMI helps address these challenges by fostering a workforce capable of managing projects in an agile, cost-effective, and scalable manner. Digital transformation initiatives require a combination of strategic oversight and precise execution, making certified professionals uniquely equipped to lead in this space.

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    At the event, PMI will showcase its globally recognised certifications, such as the PMP, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), as well as its dynamic Membership benefits and PMI Infinity 2.0, an AI-powered project management coach designed to deepen expertise, master complex topics, and elevate execution to drive project success.

    Powered by GPT-4o (omni), PMI Infinity 2.0 is optimised for quicker and more accurate results with an expanded knowledge base from firms like Cognilytica, Green Project Management & Centre for Creative Leadership. With new document generation capabilities and custom templates, PMI Infinity™ users can benefit from enhanced efficiency, productivity, and optimised workflows. Users can now input project details to create and refine essential documents for project-based work, such as project charter documents.

    Studies show certified project managers deliver projects more successfully, improving productivity and reducing costly delays.

    According to the PMI’s Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey, project managers with PMP certification earn higher median salaries than those without PMP certification, 33 per cent higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed. PMP-certified project professionals in Nigeria demonstrated an even greater lift, reporting an increase of 60per cent in median salary compared to their non-certified peers.

    PMI membership further enhances this advantage by providing unparalleled opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional growth. Members gain access to global thought leadership, advanced tools, and exclusive insights to tackle the complexities of the digital age. With mentorship opportunities, networking events, and a supportive global community, PMI membership empowers tech professionals to transform challenges into opportunities and advance their careers.

    Asamani said: “Project professionals turn to PMI for cutting-edge resources and methodologies to drive transformation in their careers, organisations, and industries. Through our recent partnership with Scrum Alliance and Cognilytica’s acquisition we are expanding access to Agile resources while pioneering the integration of AI into project management. These advancements will empower professionals to lead confidently and navigate the complexities of AI-driven transformation on a global scale.”

    Attendees are invited to visit PMI’s booth at the Tech Revolution Africa to explore certification programmes, experience PMI Infinity, and connect with industry leaders shaping Africa’s digital future.

    “This strategic partnership between PMI and Tech Revolution Africa further strengthens the vibrant tech ecosystem, expanding the frontiers for more project professionals amongst innovators and the brightest talents you can find in Africa,” Co-founder of Tech Revolution Africa, David Ogebe, said.

  • PMI advocates skill-building shift to Africa

    PMI advocates skill-building shift to Africa

    The Managing Director, Project Management Institute, Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani has recommended a revolutionary shift in skill-building for Africa to experience industrial transformation.

    In a statement released to the media, the project management expert said, “As we mark Africa Industrialisation Day, we are reminded of the transformative potential of industrialisation in reshaping the continent’s economic landscape, generating employment, and raising standards of living for the approximately 1.5 billion inhabitants.

    He said, “We look toward a future driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the rise of automation, advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, and Artificial Intelligence, the question emerges: How do we best prepare Africa’s workforce for this new age,” he queried.

    According to him, “The answer lies in building a robust base of project management skills—skills that are not just peripheral but central to successful industrialisation.”

    Asamani stated that each era of technological advancement, from the age of steam to the advent of digital, has been propelled not merely by inventions and resources but by skilled people capable of harnessing and managing those resources effectively. Each leap forward required new knowledge, execution, and the ability to navigate complex projects clearly.

    “Industrialisation is not just about factories, machinery, or technology; it is about managing these elements cohesively to create value. And this is where project management skills play a pivotal role. Whether establishing new production facilities, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, integrating digital technologies, or flying back to the moon, the success of these efforts hinges on structured, disciplined approaches to planning, executing, and monitoring complex projects. Project management is, in essence, the backbone of industrial progress.”

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    In China, he said, “Megaprojects transition from concept to completion with remarkable efficiency, driven by a deep pool of project management expertise. In Africa, the journey for similar projects often takes longer and demands more resources, highlighting the critical impact of a skills gap in project management. This skills gap underscores a crucial barrier to Africa’s industrial progress; without a robust base of project management expertise, the continent faces slower project cycles and reduced global competitiveness,” PMI MD added.

    For Africa, the stakes are high. Industrial projects involve vast investments and interdependent systems where delays, inefficiencies, or mismanagement can mean substantial losses and setbacks. Project management fosters a culture of accountability, efficiency, and excellence—values that are vital to driving Africa’s industrial agenda forward.

  • PMI announces next-generation AI offerings

    PMI announces next-generation AI offerings

    Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading authority in project management, has announced a series of next-generation tools, to continue guiding project professionals in adding more AI capabilities to their skillsets.

     PMI has acquired Cognilytica, a leading firm focused on best practices research, training, and certification in AI, Machine Learning (ML), automation, data, and analytics for organisations and professionals.

    PMI will integrate into its offerings Cognilytica certifications and learning products, including its flagship CPMAI AI & ML project management training and certification. Thousands of pieces of thought-leading content, research, advisory, education, the AI Today podcast, and other key elements of AI-focused content will now be available to PMI members.

     Based on decades of work focused on enterprise and emerging technology, the CPMAI model builds on Cognilytica’s experience with hundreds of real-world AI projects to increase the AI projects’ success. Cognilytica founders and AI thought leaders Ron Schmelzer and Kathleen Walch will join the PMI team.

     “We are thrilled to join the PMI team to further enhance our commitment to advancing best practices around running and managing AI projects,” said Ron Schmelzer, Managing partner of Cognilytica. “Since Cognilytica’s founding, we’ve been passionate about helping organisations build effective AI and data systems that can meet organisational needs while staying ahead of emerging best practices and approaches. Being a part of PMI allows us to continue to do this at a much greater scale,” said Kathleen Walch, managing partner of Cognilytica. 

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    A new research report, “Pushing the Limits: Transforming Project Management with GenAI Innovation,” found that high adopters of GenAI tools (those who use it in 50% or more of their projects) has increased by 86% since January 2024. Today, roughly two out of every five project professionals surveyed use GenAI in more than half of their project work. This increasing use of GenAI in project work further validates the need for project professionals to upskill, learn, and experiment with this technology to ensure they stay ahead. 

    PMI also unveiled new upgrades to PMI Infinity™, its popular AI assistant for project managers. Powered by GPT-4o (omni), PMI Infinity™ 2.0 is optimised for quicker and more accurate results with an expanded knowledge base. Experts continually contribute new content, keeping project professionals relevant and up to date with domain expertise from around the globe, including Cognilytica, Green Project Management and Center for Creative Leadership.

    With new document generation capabilities and custom templates, PMI Infinity™ users can benefit from enhanced efficiency, productivity, and optimised workflows. Users can now input project details to create and refine essential documents for project-based work, such as project charter documents.

    “Project professionals come to PMI for best-in-class tools and techniques to lead transformation in their organisations, their industries, and their careers. I’m delighted to unveil an upgrade to PMI Infinity™, the most innovative and comprehensive GenAI platform for project managers, and to welcome Cognilytica’s expertise to the PMI family, as together, we look to lead the AI transformation of project management and prepare project professionals to lead the AI transformation,” said Pierre Le Manh, CEO of PMI.

  • US Institute honours Nigerian for contributions to profession

    US Institute honours Nigerian for contributions to profession

    The Project Management Institute (PMI), USA, has announced a Nigerian, Taopheek Babayeju as its Person of the Year 2024, making him the first African to receive the prestigious honour.

    Babayeju was presented with the Eric Jenett Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the project management profession, his technical expertise, strategic leadership, and business acumen.

    This was held at the institute’s Global Congress in Los Angeles, California.

    In his acceptance speech, he attributed his success to the community that supported him.

    “In the truest sense, no one is truly self-made. Success is a collective effort, and this award belongs to the many communities that shaped and uplifted me,” he said.

    Babayeju’s drive to create a platform for honest dialogue and sustainable solutions revolutionised the project management landscape and set new standards of excellence. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the 2010 Most Outstanding Contribution to Project Management in Nigeria by the PMI Nigeria Chapter.

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    His contributions to the project management profession have left an indelible mark, transforming practices not just in Nigeria but across Africa. His visionary leadership first came to the fore in 2009, when he spearheaded Nigeria’s inaugural National Project Management Conference, an event that has since become a cornerstone of the industry in Nigeria.

    The honoree also announced a new initiative #Project1500, aimed at empowering 1,500 young professionals especially Africans with critical skills in Project Management, Agile, and Digital Transformation.

    “This is not just my story; it’s our story. Together, we will continue to thrive, achieve, and bequeath lasting legacies,” he said.