THE Project Management Institute (PMI) has hailed Tanzania for its efforts in improving key infrastructure projects, saying it is a step in the right direction.
The statement was made on Thursday in Dar es Salaam by PMI Managing Director in Sub-Saharan Africa, Mr George Asamani during a press briefing on preparations for the annual PMI conference, which is expected to be held in Zanzibar on October 20th this year.
“The country’s ambitions can be seen in its efforts to create a regional transport hub, linking railways and ports with its neighbours,” he pointed out.
Similarly, he said many countries are now focusing on improving transport infrastructures to drive post Covid-19 pandemic economic recovery.
He further noted that for African countries, sound infrastructures are likely to attract foreign direct investment (FDIs), as the continent is increasingly being viewed as the last frontier of growth.
“The conference will shed light on ‘projects to drive Tanzania’s industrial economy’ and is an ideal opportunity for us as a community to reflect on both the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and find effective strategies to leverage or overcome them,” Mr Asamani explained.
According to the President of PMI Tanzania Chapter, Ms Ella Naiman, the conference will be the platform to grow, learn and share best practice with one another and connect with like-minded project professionals from various disciplines and sectors.
She further noted that the theme of the PMI conference which is ’projects to drive an industrial Tanzania economy’ is intentionally in line with the agenda of social and economic development across the continent.
“As project managers, we believe Tanzania is poised to tap into Pan-African markets, technologies and best practice and the PMI Tanzania conference seeks to highlight these opportunities and put Tanzanian project managers in the driving seat for national development,” she stated.
She further added that PMI mission is to empower and build capacity of its members and Tanzanians at large through the application of professional project management practices
She said the conference will deep dive in three main topics, including embracing Agile and Hybrid project management techniques, people powered projects – building project management capacity and human capital and charting the best course through harnessing strategic business acumen.
For his part, PMI Tanzania Board Member, Mr Kheri Mbiro said PMI offers globally recognized standards, certifications, online courses, thought leadership tools, digital publications and most of all bringing together a community of like-minded individuals.
“We actively advocate for Project Management to be a fully recognized profession in Tanzania through policy and law,” he said
This year’s conference will be held in Zanzibar, where First Vice President Othman Masoud Othman is expected to officiate the opening on behalf of President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi.
Also in attendance will be Mr Mudrick Ramadhan Soraga, Minister of State, President Office, Labour, Economic Affairs and Investment, Zanzibar.