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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Economy & Trade

‘Volunteering Will Build Capability, Leadership in Africa’

From ThisDay · (13h ago) English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Volunteering is highlighted as a critical, yet underrated, tool for building capability, credibility, and leadership in Africa, according to George Asamani of Project Management Institute (PMI) sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Despite the persistent gap between education and employability for millions of young Africans entering the job market annually, the issue is often a lack of practical experience and leadership readiness, not talent.
  • Intentional volunteering can bridge this gap by providing real responsibilities and diverse experiences, accelerating professional growth in a rapidly changing economy.

In sub-Saharan Africa, where the challenge of youth employability remains a significant concern, the Project Management Institute (PMI) is drawing attention to a powerful, yet often overlooked, career accelerator: volunteering. George Asamani, PMI's Managing Director for the region, argues that volunteering is far more than an act of goodwill; it is a strategic pathway to professional development, crucial for building the capability, credibility, and leadership skills that employers desperately seek.

Volunteering is often framed as an act of goodwill rather than a pathway to professional growth. This view misses an important point. In many cases, volunteering is one of the most effective ways to build capability, credibility, and leadership.

— George AsamaniManaging Director, Project Management Institute (PMI), sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing the professional development benefits of volunteering.

The statistics are stark: millions of young Africans enter the job market each year, yet a persistent skills gap, particularly in experience and problem-solving, leaves many struggling to find meaningful employment. Asamani points out that this isn't a deficit of talent but a lack of exposure to real-world challenges and responsibilities. Traditional career progression within organizations may not offer the breadth of experience needed to navigate today's dynamic economic landscape.

The issue is not a lack of talent, but a lack of exposure. Traditional career paths, where progress depends on one’s level within an organisation, do not always provide the range of experience needed in a fast-changing economy.

— George AsamaniExplaining the disconnect between education and employability in Africa and highlighting the role of experience.

This is where intentional volunteering becomes transformative. By engaging in volunteer roles, individuals are placed in situations where they are entrusted with genuine responsibility, allowing them to hone practical skills and develop leadership potential. PMI itself serves as a prime example, with nearly 18,000 volunteers contributing to initiatives that shape professional practices and foster capability development. As Africa continues its rapid development, embracing volunteering as a deliberate strategy for professional growth is essential for unlocking the full potential of its young workforce and driving the continent's progress.

Volunteering, when approached with intention, can help close this gap. It puts people in situations where they are given real responsibility.

— George AsamaniDescribing how structured volunteering can provide practical experience and bridge the skills gap for young professionals.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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