Sub-Saharan Africa’s construction sector is entering one of its most critical periods. Central to this transformation is the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). It is a continent-wide initiative aimed at closing critical infrastructure gaps by 2040 through more than 400 priority projects across energy, transport, ICT and cross-border water systems. With more than $360 billion in funding, PIDA is more than just a pipeline of projects, it represents a blueprint to unlock regional integration, industrialization, and long-term economic growth across Africa.
But ambitions of this unprecedented scale have put the ability to deliver them under the microscope. As governments accelerate infrastructure investment, new research from the Project Management Institute (PMI) warns that the region will face a 57% shortage of construction project professionals by 2035, with one of the highest growth rates in the world. Demand for construction project professionals across sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase from around 260,000 in 2025 to more than 410,000 by 2035, creating a shortage of nearly 150,000 professionals. This challenge is part of a broader global trend, with PMI estimating that nearly 2.5 million additional construction project professionals will be needed worldwide by 2035 to meet growing infrastructure demands.
The report highlights critical contradictions in the region’s growth story. In short, although construction is the strongest contributor to GDP growth and job creation, it remains one of the most complex and waste-prone sectors of the economy. According to PMI data, approximately 10% of global project investments are lost each year due to poor performance. In a region deploying hundreds of billions of dollars in infrastructure, inefficiencies translate into billions of dollars in unrealized value.
“Construction is at the heart of the region’s development goals,” said George Assamani, Managing Director, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa. “From transportation routes and energy infrastructure to housing, healthcare and digital connectivity, projects are how we build our future. But without the right project management capabilities, you risk delays, cost overruns, rework and ultimately loss of value.”
That urgency is underscored by the pace of activity on the ground. In sub-Saharan Africa, large-scale infrastructure investment is accelerating due to population growth, urban expansion, and regional trade integration. PMI research identifies the region as having the highest growth rate of demand for construction project professionals in the world. Countries such as Ethiopia are leading this surge, with annual demand growth expected to be the highest in the world at 7.8%.
Construction projects are inherently complex and involve some of the largest stakeholders in any industry, including governments, regulators, contractors, financiers, local communities, environmental organizations, and international partners. Lack of coordination between these groups can lead to inefficiencies, duplication, and costly rework. The report highlights that poor communication and collaboration remain persistent challenges, often resulting in financial waste and substandard outcomes.
In an industry where design and scope changes occur frequently, poor coordination between onsite and offsite teams can quickly lead to delays and budget overruns.
“Construction is receiving a lot of attention and is being thoroughly scrutinized,” Assamani added. “Public expectations rest on every bridge, hospital, and power plant. When a project fails, the impact is not just economic, but social and political as well. That’s why professional project management is not a luxury; it protects values, protects public funds, and ensures that infrastructure delivers its intended impact.”
Although the construction industry continues to drive GDP growth across sub-Saharan Africa, it has historically lagged behind other industries in terms of productivity and technology adoption. PMI’s research highlights digitalisation, including building information modeling (BIM), digital twins and artificial intelligence, as key levers to increase efficiency, increase transparency and reduce costly rework and waste.
Employers report a lack of critical competency skills such as communication, collaborative leadership, and stakeholder engagement, as well as core project management competencies such as scheduling, planning, and resource optimization. At the same time, infrastructure financing is increasingly linked to ESG standards, carbon management and responsible sourcing, creating demand for project leaders who can embed sustainability into delivery from day one.
Closing the construction talent gap requires more than just accelerating hiring. An intentional strategy is needed to retain, develop, and promote project professionals over time. PMI’s research highlights that improving working conditions, continued investment in professional development, and creating structured career paths for new and mid-career professionals are essential to building a resilient talent pipeline. Professional training and certifications, such as the Construction Professional (PMI-CP), help professionals develop the skills needed to manage the increasingly complex nature of modern infrastructure projects, while also providing thought leadership and expert networks that can continually strengthen practitioners’ capabilities.
“If we want infrastructure to become a real driver of GDP growth, we need to professionalize the way we deliver it. We cannot afford to treat training as a cost. It is an investment in national competitiveness,” Assamani concluded.
