PMI offers free course to support entrepreneurs
Project Management Institute (PMI) has launched a free online course designed to help entrepreneurs turn ideas, creative ventures and side businesses into sustainable enterprises.
The PMI Foundations: Project Management for Entrepreneurs course targets aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, including founders, solopreneurs, creators, community innovators and small business teams.
The initiative comes as Africa’s creator economy continues to expand, with projections putting its value at nearly US$18 billion by 2030.
However, industry findings showed that turning an audience into a sustainable source of income remains challenging, particularly because of irregular earnings, production costs and limited business-management skills.
The Africa Creator Economy Report 2.0 found that about six in 10 creators earn less than US$100 monthly from their creative work, while around 40 per cent consider their activities part-time. The report also found that 71 per cent identified business strategy and management as important skills for attracting investment.
George Asamani, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, PMI, said creators needed to develop the business capabilities behind their creative work.
“These findings show why creators need support with the business behind their content,” Asamani said, adding, “A brand deal can bring in revenue, but creators also need to understand what it will cost to deliver.”
He said project management skills could help entrepreneurs plan projects, manage resources and deliver consistently, whether they were creating digital content, running a catering business or launching a new product.
The five-hour course uses practical templates, reflection exercises, insights from experienced founders and AI-supported brainstorming. It requires no formal business or project-management background.
Its eight core areas include assessing readiness and resources, financial planning and cash flow, organising work, testing ideas with customers, building visibility and trust, measuring results, leading under pressure and planning sustainable growth.
For creators, the lessons can be applied to activities such as sponsored campaigns, merchandise, paid workshops and events. The course encourages entrepreneurs to assess costs, demand, timelines and capacity before committing resources.
It also addresses the challenges that emerge as businesses grow. Modules on leadership and support systems focus on communication, delegation and relationships, while the growth component helps entrepreneurs determine whether their systems and resources can support expansion.
Asamani said the programme was intended to give entrepreneurs practical tools for navigating uncertainty and making informed decisions.
“We want entrepreneurs across sectors to have access to practical skills that help them keep their commitments, work through uncertainty and make informed choices about growth,” he said.
The initiative also comes against the backdrop of Africa’s employment challenge. The African Development Bank estimates that 10–12 million young Africans enter the labour market annually, compared with about three million formal jobs created each year.
PMI said the free course is therefore aimed at helping entrepreneurs build the planning, financial and delivery capabilities needed to turn opportunities into viable and sustainable businesses.
Entrepreneurs can access and enrol for the course through PMI’s website.
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