Project Management Institute (PMI), the world's leading association for project professionals, has announced that its annual Africa Conference, a marquee event for Project Economy leaders, will return as an in-person event. The conference will be hosted at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, from September 11- 13, 2022. Now in its seventh year, the 2022 theme is Sustainable Growth for Social Good: Connecting ideas, people and projects.  

Last year's virtual conference attracted more than 1400 attendees. This year, PMI expects to host over 700 attendees, a number limited by the need to ensure everyone's safety and comply with the Federal Government's Covid-19 protocols. Every year, the conference attracts dozens of speakers who bring distinct, valuable, and unique conversations, providing education to drive the future of the profession.  

 The expo floor at the conference will showcase products and services.  

The conference will deliver expert insights and serve as a platform for networking and knowledge sharing. PMI has announced a call for proposals from speakers interested in sharing the stage with international experts. Proposals can be submitted via the link pmiafricaconference.com/call-for-papers. The deadline for submissions is 30 May.  

 Announcing the dates, Ashwini Bakshi, Managing Director, Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, PMI, said, "The conference is where visionary project leaders, captains of industry, and government come together to scrutinise the trends and technologies required to transform how projects are delivered."  

 "At its heart, the Africa Conference is a forum to create connections and build a project management community."  

 PMI's growing community of millions of project professionals and changemakers worldwide will gain insight and access tools to turn their ideas into reality at the Africa Conference. 

Now more than ever, project management is key to the revival of firms in the post-pandemic world.  

According to PMI's Talent Gap report, project management-oriented employment (PMOE) is expected to rise by 40% in Sub-Saharan Africa. The total GDP of projectified industries—industries with significant project management requirements is estimated to increase from $24.7 trillion in 2019 to $34.5 trillion in 2030.  

"It is important that we continue to have these conversations as projects, and the successful management of them, are essential to industry and economic growth across the continent," Bakshi adds. 

 On hosting the conference in one of the continent's largest economies, the PMI Nigeria Chapter President, Paul Omugbe, said, "We are looking forward to welcoming delegates from across the world as they join us in September for the in-person event. The profession is at an exciting point as governments gear to build back better, and what better place than a centrepiece event like the Africa Conference to have a dialogue." 

 The conference is open to a global audience keen to learn how changemakers and project professionals in Africa are seizing this incredible growth opportunity.  

The conference brings together chapter leaders, members, volunteers, captains of industry, government, and stakeholders from the project management sphere with similar career goals to share best practices, earn professional development units (PDUs), meet like-minded professionals, and learn valuable skills.   

 The full line-up of speakers will be announced over the next few weeks.  

 About Project Management Institute (PMI): Project Management Institute (PMI) is the leading professional association for project management and the authority for a growing global community of millions of project professionals and individuals who use project management skills. Collectively, these professionals and "changemakers" consistently create better outcomes for businesses, communities, and society worldwide. PMI empowers people to make ideas a reality. Through global advocacy, networking, collaboration, research, and education, PMI prepares organisations and individuals at every stage of their career journey to work smarter so they can drive success in a world of change.  

 Building on a proud legacy dating to 1969, PMI is a not-for-profit for-purpose organisation working in nearly every country around the world to advance careers, strengthen organisational success, and enable project professionals and changemakers with new skills and ways of working to maximise their impact. PMI offerings include globally recognized standards, certifications, online courses, thought leadership, tools, digital publications, and communities. 

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