Nigerian-born project management and business analysis expert, Cynthia Ekechi, has urged increased investment in project management (PM) education and certification as a strategic response to the growing global demand for skilled professionals.
Drawing from a forecast by the Project Management Institute (PMI), that by 2027, employers will require nearly 88 million people in project management related roles; she noted that despite this, the pipeline of qualified talent is not keeping pace with the explosive demand in a digital-first economy.
“This isn’t just a hiring challenge; it’s an urgent demand for agility. Without deliberate investment in project management education, organisations will fail to execute transformational plans and leave projects unrealised,” she said.
Referencing PMI’s Pulse of the Profession 2023 report, Ekechi affirms this position, noting that 45 per cent of digital transformation projects fail to meet set objectives, owing to knowledge gaps in project management and business analysis. This she said, is backed up by 2024 research that revealed a contrast: organisations with mature project management practices experience 35 per cent higher project success rates and waste 28 times less money due to failed projects.
“These are not just statistics; they reflect real economic impact. Project managers and business analysts are no longer just coordinators; they are the operational backbone and critical drivers of business value. In today’s agile and hybrid environments, their roles often intersect, with business analysts embedded in project teams or leading strategic project initiatives,” she said.
Having led digital transformation initiatives across healthcare, government and private sectors in Africa and Europe, Ekechi understands that project managers and business analysts are the first responders to change and execution in modern organisations.
“Project managers don’t just assign and monitor tasks; they align business goals with implementation. Business analysts don’t just document requirements; they ensure solutions are viable, valuable and validated,” she noted.
She added the roles of PMP®️ and PMI-PBA®️ are essential markers in building global credibility and commitment to excellence in project delivery. These certifications do more than validate technical proficiency; they demonstrate professionalism and adaptability, qualities essential in today’s volatile market.
The PMI’s Global Project Management Talent Gap report notes that nearly 40 million project professionals are currently active worldwide. Yet by 2035, the global economy may require nearly 30 million more to sustain development goals.
This gap is especially acute in Sub-Saharan Africa. PMI projects that the demand for project professionals will grow from 2.6 million to 4.6 million. “Africa has a unique opportunity. With the youngest population in the world, the continent could become a global talent powerhouse if we invest now in project management education systems to adapt quickly and prepare the next generation for critical roles,” she revealed.
In context, the world needs professionals who cannot only deliver but also deliver well. Beyond her project roles, Ekechi contributes to the global knowledge economy through leadership, peer reviews and academic research, which positions her strategically in the disciplines of project management and business analysis.
