The Project Management Institute (PMI) has unveiled an impressive speaker lineup for its highly anticipated Global Summit Series Africa 2025. It’s set to take place at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda from August 19 to 21. Themed ‘Africa on Purpose,’ the summit seeks to catalyze a bold shift in how projects are delivered across the continent. In emphasizing impact, resilience, and inclusive growth.
As Africa grapples with a complex web of development priorities, from climate change and infrastructure gaps to digital transformation and job creation. PMI is positioning the Summit as a platform for action-oriented dialogue and strategic collaboration.
“Africa’s project economy remains vibrant yet vulnerable. With infrastructure financing gaps reaching up to $108 billion annually. Skilled project professionals are no longer optional, they’re essential.” said George Asamani, Managing Director of PMI Sub-Sahan Africa
This year’s Summit is designed for senior project professionals. C-suite executives, development partners, government officials, and emerging talent committed to reimagining Africa’s development story.
According to PMI, success in the project economy can no longer be judged solely on timelines or budgets met. Also by the social value and sustainable impact delivered.
“This is not just a moment to gather, it’s a moment to grow and guide,” Asamani emphasized. “It’s where bold voices converge to ask and answer: How can Africa execute differently?”
The Summit will feature keynote messages from some of the continent’s most influential changemakers. Including a special address by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank — a vocal advocate of project execution as a lever for African prosperity.
Other high-profile speakers include:
Armand Nzeyimana, Director of Development Impact & Results, AfDB, Elie Habimana, Managing Director, Norrsken East Africa, Pierre Kayitana, General Manager, Zipline Rwanda, Kusobile Kamwambi, Head of the Presidential Delivery Unit, Zambia and Sindi Kwenaite, COO, South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions
The Summit will also highlight influential voices from outside the traditional project space. This including cultural and creative figures like Banky W (Olubankole Wellington), the Nigerian-American singer and entrepreneur, and Tunde Onakoya, a chess champion and Guinness World Record holder.
Thought leaders in academia will also weigh in, with contributions from Professor Kayihura Muganga Didas, Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, and Celestin Nkeramihigo, Dean at Kepler College. They are expected to provide insight on how Africa’s education systems can produce future-ready project talent.
Leading project professionals confirmed for the event include:
Emily Mutaga, Head of PMO, Bank of Kigali, Chinedu Mbonu, Senior Programme Manager, FCDO, British High Commission, Ancicalia Matizha, Group Head of PMO, Old Mutual Zimbabwe, Deeksha Singh, Head of Vitality PMO, Discovery
Returning speaker Billy Mwape, CIO of FNB Zambia, noted the Summit’s importance:
“Projects must deliver tangible outcomes, often under complex conditions. These conversations are not only relevant. They drive the kind of clarity and collaboration we need to move Africa forward and make Agenda 2063 a lived reality.”
PMI Chapter leaders from Kenya, Angola, Togo, Ghana, Namibia. Host country Rwanda will also participate, underlining the grassroots energy that complements top-level strategy in Africa’s transformation agenda.
The Global Summit Series Africa 2025 promises to be more than a conference. It’s a continent-wide call to rethink execution, drive value, and elevate purpose in Africa’s journey toward a resilient and inclusive