Project Management Readiness: A Glimpse into the Troubled Rhetoric and the Expected Delivery of 2020 Priority Action Projects in Africa

Abstract

Several studies have documented that Africa’s infrastructure construction firms often do not meet defined project objectives regarding; time, budget and functionality. This has often caused; delays, abandonment or disillusionments on the side of investors. Several contributing factors to these failures have been identified. However, very little if at all, seems to have been done on the project management readiness of African construction firms. Accordingly, this paper sought to assess Africa’s construction industry readiness to deliver the priority action projects. Using literature review method, the study established that Africa has a huge technical skills gap which is the main reason for the dismal performance in construction projects’ delivery. A readiness training model was developed for policy planners and educational practitioners to help build Africa’s human capacity in infrastructure project management. The paper strongly recommends for the adoption of the model. And with that, the Africa’s construction stakeholders may gradually improve their project management readiness.