The African Leadership Academy (ALA) has recently been awarded a multi-million rand grant from the PMI Educational Foundation (PMIEF), further expanding their partnership. The collaboration aims to introduce students to project management through the Build-in-a-Box curriculum, a portable toolkit designed to empower ALA student facilitators to conduct professional entrepreneurial leadership camps in their home countries.
The grant empowers ALA’s students to identify partner organizations and conduct impactful camps across various cities, including Lagos, Nairobi, Accra, Harare, Bamenda, Kinshasa, and Port Elizabeth, benefitting over 2,000 of their peers.
With the world’s population projected to reach 10 billion by 2055, the majority of this growth will occur in low and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The continent’s young population, with 40% under 15 as of 2022, makes it one of the youngest in the world.
Addressing the challenges of youth unemployment, ALA’s strategy focuses on training students in entrepreneurship and project management, empowering them to share their skills within their communities. By fostering successful startups, ALA aims to create much-needed employment opportunities and contribute to the continent’s economic growth.
Dr. Ashley Forsyth, Executive Director of PMIEF, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting that over 1,700 emerging African leaders have already been equipped with project management skills through the collaboration. PMIEF and ALA are dedicated to transforming Africa by building a network of young leaders capable of addressing the continent’s pressing challenges, driving social impact, and accelerating growth.
Integrating project management skills into STEM, entrepreneurial, and social impact programming, ALA empowers its participants to apply these skills for greater success. The collaboration aims to sharpen leadership and project management abilities, essential for becoming successful entrepreneurs.
George Asamani, PMI Sub Saharan Africa’s Managing Director, quoted Henry Ford, emphasizing the role of education in a country’s competitiveness. He highlighted that nurturing leadership and project management skills in young individuals fosters better results and contributes to economic growth.
PMIEF has announced a total of more than R92 million in global grants this year, supporting youth-focused non-profits in shaping the next generation of leaders. These grants will enable recipient organizations to reach an additional 2.1 million youth in 2023, further empowering and equipping young minds with vital skills for their future success.
