Abidjan: JA-Africa.org and the Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF) have announced a partnership aimed at equipping African youth with over 240,000 project management learning experiences. This initiative is designed to transform ideas into enterprises and ambitions into action.
According to African Press Organization, the initiative, titled "Elevating Project Management in Youth Ecosystems- Phase II," will be implemented from 2025 to 2028. Its primary objective is to empower young Africans and foster their personal and professional growth by equipping them with project management and other essential skills. The program will have a significant impact on young individuals from 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 the strategic importance of the grant, noting that it empowers young Africans not just to dream but to execute. The partnership with PMIEF aims to embed project management skills directly into the mindset of young Africans, enhancing their ability to think, plan, lead, and execute effectively.
The program also aims to support adults, including educators, volunteers, and JA staff, with plans to train 1800 adults over three years. Local PMI members will take an active role as facilitators and mentors, sharing their real-world expertise and experience.
Ashley Forsyth, Executive Director of PMIEF, expressed the organization’s honor in partnering with JA Africa to deliver life-changing project management skills to the next generation. Forsyth highlighted that when young people master project management, they do not just create businesses but shape futures.
As the world approaches International Youth Day, JA Africa and PMIEF exemplify the commitment to investing in young people, providing them not only with inspiration but also with the structure, skills, and support necessary for success.