The Critical Role of Project Managers in Burkina Faso's National Economic Development

Futuristic image of a developed Burkina Faso

Across Burkina Faso, a transformation is underway.

The country is reclaiming its mineral resources, investing in infrastructure, reimagining public education, and planting seeds for economic growth rooted in sovereignty. But while jobs are essential, there’s another critical asset the country must grow:

A generation of system thinkers, results-driven leaders, and project managers.

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Burkina Faso doesn’t just need engineers, teachers, and technologists.It needs people who know how to connect the dots.

1. System thinkers who see the full picture.

2. Project managers who translate big goals into practical delivery.

3. Results-driven leaders who can guide projects from vision to outcome.

These are the professionals who can coordinate efforts across sectors, avoid duplication, reduce waste, and accelerate results. That’s what project managers are trained to do—and it’s why project delivery must become a national skillset.

Project Management is Essential in Every Sector

The future of Burkina Faso’s development depends on building project management capacity in key industries. And here’s why systems thinking matters:

Sector of Infrastructure and Construction

Road building isn’t just labor—it’s connectivity.

Project managers coordinate budgets, timelines, and stakeholders. But more than that, they ensure the strategic purpose behind a road is realized:

• Linking rural farmers to city markets

• Shortening supply chain delays

• Connecting communities to critical services

Without project oversight, roads are just concrete. With systems thinking, roads become lifelines.

Agricultural Industry

Food security, household income, and national health depend on how we farm and distribute crops. PMs help ensure that:

• Agricultural projects stay on schedule during planting and harvest cycles

• Value chains (like tomato farming → processing → market) are mapped and managed

• Cooperatives and community-led projects are supported through clear roles and timelines

Agriculture is part of the system—and PMs are essential to making it work.

Production Industry

As Burkina Faso shifts to in-country processing of natural resources, PMs will be needed to:

• Coordinate cross-functional teams (logistics, finance, operations)

• Ensure manufacturing timelines align with market demands

• Manage production cycles while improving efficiency

Again, manufacturing doesn’t stand alone—it depends on roads for transport, agriculture for inputs, and education for talent. PMs weave these pieces together.

Field of Education

Reforming education is one of the boldest and most necessary national projects.

From curriculum development to teacher training to school construction, project management supports:

• Long-term planning with measurable outcomes

• Coordination across ministries and regional authorities

• Tracking of progress, equity goals, and quality improvement

This isn’t just about building schools. It’s about building a future-ready nation.

The Urgency of Starting Immediately

Burkina Faso is at a pivotal moment in its history. Under visionary leadership, the country is building for itself—on its own terms. But that vision must be executed.Delivery is where dreams can stall—or soar.

By integrating project management into:

• Vocational training

• Secondary school curricula

• Community hubs and workforce development program

Burkina Faso can build a homegrown talent pipeline of planners, thinkers, and implementers who keep the national agenda moving forward.

What if local leaders, youth, and women were trained not just to participate in national projects—but to lead them?

• Let’s invest in a pilot program that brings PM training to communities.

• Let’s embed systems thinking into the national conversation.

• Let’s prepare the next generation not just for jobs, but for impact.

Burkina Faso is building more than roads and factories. It’s building its future—and project managers are key to delivering it.

Author’s Note

Giana Lawrence-Primus, PMP, MPA is a global-minded project management consultant and founder of Project Manager Lab LLC. Her career began in international development, supporting special projects focused on capacity-building, micro-finance, and youth development. This piece is written from a place of both professional expertise and a long-standing curiosity about the possibilities of project delivery as a tool for nation-building.

To connect with Giana about project delivery strategy, consultation, or group training, please email: giana@projectmanagerlab.com