Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners can now access free training on how to plan, manage and grow sustainable ventures through a new online course launched by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
The five-hour course, PMI Foundations: Project Management for Entrepreneurs, is designed for founders, solopreneurs, side-hustle creators, community innovators and small teams operating across different sectors.
The course focuses on practical skills that entrepreneurs can use to turn business ideas into viable ventures, including financial planning, cash-flow management, customer testing, organising work, performance measurement and sustainable growth.
PMI said the training responds to challenges facing entrepreneurs, including irregular income, production costs, delayed payments and limited capacity.
The institute also pointed to the growing number of young Africans turning to entrepreneurship as formal employment opportunities remain limited.
The African Development Bank estimates that between 10 million and 12 million young people enter Africa’s labour market each year, compared with about three million formal jobs created.
PMI said creating a business is only the first step, with entrepreneurs also needing the skills to build reliable income streams and manage resources effectively.
George Asamani, PMI Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, said project management skills can help entrepreneurs translate ideas into structured business activities.
“A brand deal can bring in revenue, but creators also need to understand what it will cost to deliver,” Asamani said.
The course also addresses the needs of people working in the growing creator economy.
According to the Africa Creator Economy Report 2.0 cited by PMI, about six in 10 creators earn less than US$100 a month from their creative work, while 71 per cent consider business strategy and management important skills for attracting investment.
Participants will have access to practical templates, reflection exercises, insights from experienced founders and AI-supported brainstorming tools.
PMI said no formal business or previous project management experience is required to take the course.
The institute said the training is intended to help entrepreneurs make better-informed decisions, manage uncertainty and develop businesses capable of sustaining growth.
The free course is available for enrolment through PMI’s website.
