Emma Okonji
As African governments accelerate infrastructure investment across the continent, a new report from the Project Management Institute (PMI) warns that the region faces a 57% talent shortage for construction project professionals by 2035, one of the fastest growing regions 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. Despite being one of the strongest contributors to GDP growth and job creation, construction 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 that spends hundreds of billions of dollars on infrastructure, inefficiencies lead to billions of dollars in unrealized value, the report said.
George Assamani, Managing Director, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa, elaborated on the report, saying: “Construction is at the heart of the region’s development goals. From transport routes and energy infrastructure to housing, healthcare and digital connectivity, projects are how we build our future. But without the right project management capabilities, we risk delays, cost overruns, rework and ultimately loss of value.”
He said the urgency was 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 projected annual demand growth of 7.8%, the highest in the world.
“Construction projects are inherently complex and involve some of the largest stakeholders in any industry, including governments, regulators, contractors, financiers, local communities, environmental groups, and international partners. Mismatches between these groups can lead to inefficiencies, duplication, and costly rework. It clearly explains that laboratories remain an ongoing challenge, often resulting in financial waste and substandard outcomes. In an industry where changes in design and scope are common, poor coordination between stakeholders is critical and can quickly lead to delays and budget overruns between on-site and off-site teams,” Assamani said.
He continued: “Construction is highly watched and scrutinized. Every bridge, hospital, and power plant is subject to public expectations. When a project fails, the consequences are not just financial, 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.”
However, the construction sector in sub-Saharan Africa is entering one of its most critical periods. Central to the transformation is the Program for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA). PIDA is a continent-wide initiative aimed at closing critical infrastructure gaps by 2040 through more than 400 priority projects across energy, transport, ICT and transboundary 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 unprecedented scale have put their ability to deliver on them under the microscope.
“While 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. In its research report, PMI highlighted that digitalisation, including building information modeling (BIM), digital twins and artificial intelligence, is a key means to increase efficiency, increase transparency and reduce costly rework and waste.”
“Closing the construction talent gap requires more than just accelerating hiring; it requires intentional strategies to retain, develop, and advance project professionals over the long term. PMI’s research highlights that improving working conditions, consistent investment in professional development, and creating systematic career paths for entry-level and mid-career professionals are essential to building a resilient talent pipeline,” the report further states.
