How AI and Automation ushered in the next era of project management in Africa- Busayo Balogun

Busayo Balogun is a seasoned Agile Coach and Project Manager with over 13 years of experience. In this interview, she discussed the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, and blockchain on decision-making, task efficiency, and communication across sectors.

Balogun also shared how emerging trends like green project management and digital tools are helping professionals handle complex projects and stay competitive in the business environment.

Can you tell about your journey into Project Management and what initially drew you to this field?
I like to say that project management found me. My journey started during my service year when I attended a 3 day training organized by a company for corpers. Prior to that training, I knew nothing about project management.

Fast forward to after my service year, my first job was with an oil and gas consulting company as a project assistant after which I requested for a transfer to the Information Technology (IT) part of the company as a project manager and like they say, the rest is history.

With over 13 years of experience across six sectors, what are some of the most challenging projects you have worked on, and how did you overcome those challenges?
One of the key things to note about project management is that no 2 projects are the same. so in doing this across 6 sectors, i have had to deal with different challenges but if i have to pick, I will say it was from my time in banking.

I had to manage a project that cut across the branches of the bank at the time (about 200 of them), having to deal with all the necessary stakeholders, being able to thoroughly carry management along and also produce exceptional results based on the project timeline was no small feat, but I did it.

Another one will be my very first project as a lead project manager, it was a project for one of the biggest insurance companies in Nigeria. I had to learn all the necessary terminologies in insurance, establish clear communication protocol amongst my stakeholders, keep upper management in the loop with regards to project update and lead the team.

How has your experience in leading multicultural and cross-functional teams shaped your approach to Project Management?
My experience leading multicultural and cross-functional teams has transformed my approach to project management, making me more culturally aware, communicative, and adaptable. It has taught me the value of inclusivity, the importance of clear communication, and the need to be flexible in managing diverse perspectives. By embracing these lessons, I am able to lead more effectively in whatever environment I find myself, foster collaboration and innovation while also driving project success.

As a Global Agile Leader, what key skills and attributes do you believe are essential for success in Agile Project Management?
There are several key skills and attributes that I believe are essential for success in Agile project management. Because the methodology places emphasis on flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement, every agile leader needs the unique set of competencies that go beyond managing projects using the traditional project management skills.

Some of those critical skills in my opinion are empathy(because change is hard and you have to be able to put yourself in the shoes of your clients), adopting the agile mindset, Prioritization and Focus on Value Delivery,Ability to Manage Uncertainty and Ambiguity,Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Risk Management and Adaptability, Commitment to Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) and a Deep Understanding of Agile Frameworks

How would you describe the current state of Project Management in Africa, particularly in terms of Agile adoption?
The project management landscape in Africa is changing quickly, and Agile is becoming more and more common, especially in sectors like technology, finance, and telecommunications. However, there are significant regional variations in Agile maturity across the continent, which can be attributed to a variety of reasons like industry, geographic location, and the unique difficulties that African economies face.

For example, Scrum and Kanban, in particular, are becoming more and more popular as Agile approaches in top tech hubs in countries such as Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. This is being driven by tech startups and enterprises using Agile to build and launch products quickly. Furthermore, the finance and telecom sectors are also seeing a substantial adoption of agile due to the push to innovate and respond swiftly to client requests.

What unique challenges do African project managers face compared to their counterparts in other regions, and how can they overcome these obstacles?
African project managers face challenges that are often more pronounced compared to their counterparts in other regions. One significant issue is the constantly evolving business landscape, which creates a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable environment.

Low pay is also a common challenge, as compensation levels for project managers in many African countries tend to be lower than in other regions, impacting both motivation and talent retention.
Additionally, project managers often encounter higher levels of resistance from clients, who may be less familiar with modern project management practices or more reluctant to embrace change.

There is also a lack of communal support, making it difficult for project managers to find the resources and networks they need. This shortage of support is one reason I initiated the Agile Nexus Conference, aimed at fostering stronger collaboration and addressing these gaps.

However, these challenges can be overcome by promoting better collaboration, advocating for fairer compensation, and educating clients on the value of project management practices.

In your opinion, what sectors in Africa show the most promise for adopting Agile methodologies, and why?
In my opinion, industries that are focused on customers, technology, and fast change or rivalry are those that hold the greatest potential for Agile adoption in Africa. Due to their ability to quickly adjust to shifting market conditions and their constant need for innovation, tech, fintech, telecommunications such as MTN and Airtel are able to innovate faster in areas like 5G deployment, healthcare, and e-commerce are leading the way.

The tech industry, especially in African tech hubs like Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt, are rapidly growing. Another one will be in Education and Edtech
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital learning, and platforms like Agile Together in Nigeria are using Agile to iterate on content delivery, adapt to new educational standards, and scale to meet the growing demand for online education.

How do you see the role of Project Management evolving in Africa over the next five years?
Over the next five years, project management in Africa will adapt to the increasing needs of a continent that is undergoing swift changes in the areas of economy, technology, and society. Project managers will be essential in advancing social impact, infrastructure development, and innovation while adjusting to new techniques, technologies, and environmental objectives.

Project management is one of the most important competencies for Africa’s continuous growth since it will be essential to the success of complex, multi-stakeholder efforts across a variety of industries. My advice will be for Project managers out there to start getting proficient in a variety of digital tools, learn to integrate them into workflows to enhance agility, transparency, and productivity and don’t forget that this shift to the digital way of doing things will also foster the adoption of data-driven decision-making, making real-time monitoring and performance tracking essential skills.

What steps can African organizations take to elevate their Project Management practices to meet global best practices?
African organizations can improve their project management procedures by focusing on Agile and Lean methodologies, embracing digital tools, adopting global standards, and encouraging continuous improvement.

To guarantee that businesses adhere to worldwide best practices while being flexible enough to accommodate local circumstances, there is the need to strengthen their governance, enhance their leadership, and prioritize risk management and customer-centricity as all these are essential for maintaining competitiveness, fostering innovation, and guaranteeing project success.

What role do you think technology plays in advancing Project Management practices in Africa, and how can professionals leverage it effectively?
It plays a pivotal role as it offers us the necessary tools that facilitate data-driven decision-making, help us increase task management and streamline communication. making it a potent enabler of advanced project management techniques in Africa. During COVID we were able to use it to get past resource limitations, complicated stakeholder situations by spotlighting some of the benefits of remote work.

What key trends do you see emerging in Project Management globally, and how can African professionals stay ahead of these trends?
Technology breakthroughs, shifting labour dynamics, and shifting business environments are all contributing to the rapid global evolution of the project management landscape.

Benefits such as Increased Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation,Blockchain and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Sustainability and green project management in areas such as fashion and construction are some of the trends I see emerging.

How important is mentorship in your career, and how do you mentor others who are looking to excel in Project Management?
Mentorship has been a cornerstone in my career progression both as a recipient and as a mentor to others. It has been a key driver of my personal and professional growth, allowing me to learn from the experiences of those ahead of me and I dare say also from my peers and mentees fresh perspectives. My advice to anyone out there looking for a mentor will be not to only think vertically (superiors) but to also think horizontally (peers) and downward (subordinates). Look for your tribe across these 3 areas and go for it.