Abu Dhabi: The Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF) has announced a significant partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) Africa aimed at equipping African youth with vital project management skills. This collaboration will facilitate over 240,000 project management learning experiences, empowering young Africans to transform ideas into actionable enterprises and ambitions into reality.
According to African Press Organization, the initiative, named “Elevating Project Management in Youth Ecosystems- Phase II,” is scheduled to be implemented between 2025 and 2028. Its primary goal is to empower young Africans by fostering personal and professional growth through the acquisition of project management and other essential skills. The program targets youth from several countries, including Côte d’Ivoire, Eswatini, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Simi Nwogugu, CEO of JA Africa, emphasized that the grant represents a strategic advancement in enabling young Africans not only to dream but to execute effectively. She stressed that project management is a crucial future-ready skill that will be integrated into the mindset of young Africans, enhancing their ability to think, plan, lead, and execute projects.
The initiative also aims to train 1,800 adults, including educators, volunteers, and JA staff, over three years. These adults will receive guidance from local PMI members serving as facilitators and mentors, bringing their real-world expertise and experience to the program.
Ashley Forsyth, Executive Director of PMIEF, expressed the foundation’s honor in partnering with JA Africa to deliver transformative project management skills to the next generation. Forsyth highlighted that mastering project management allows young people not only to create businesses but also to shape futures.
As the world anticipates International Youth Day, JA Africa and PMIEF demonstrate their commitment to investing in young people by providing them with the structure, skills, and support needed for success.