NAIROBI, Kenya – The Project Management Institute (PMI) has launched a free online course aimed at helping entrepreneurs across Africa turn ideas into sustainable businesses by strengthening their skills in planning, financial management, delivery and growth.
The five-hour course, “PMI Foundations-Project Management for Entrepreneurs,” is designed for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs across sectors, including founders, side-hustle creators, solopreneurs, community innovators and small business teams.
The initiative comes as Africa’s creator economy continues to expand. According to the Africa Creator Economy Report 2.0 cited by PMI, Africa’s creator economy is projected to reach nearly $18 billion by 2030.
Speaking during the launch of the course, PMI Managing Director Sub-Saharan Africa George Asamani said that decisions such as accepting a campaign, hiring an editor, purchasing equipment or launching a new product can have many creators continue to face challenges, including irregular income, uncertain payment timelines and rising production costs.
Asamani noted that the course responds to a growing need for practical business skills that can help entrepreneurs move beyond ideas and build businesses capable of delivering consistently.
“These findings show why creators need support with the business behind their content,” said Asamani, in a statement seen by News9.africa.
Turning ideas into practical businesses
The course covers eight key areas, including assessing readiness and resources, financial planning and cash flow, organising and sequencing work, validating ideas with customers, building visibility and trust, measuring what works, leading under pressure, and planning for sustainable growth.
“A brand deal can bring in revenue, but creators also need to understand what it will cost to deliver. Project management helps them plan the work and use their resources wisely,” he added.
PMI said no formal business background or project management experience is required, making the course accessible to entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey.
For creators and small-business owners, practical planning can be particularly important when income is unpredictable. Decisions such as accepting a campaign, hiring an editor, purchasing equipment or launching a new product can have significant financial implications.
The course introduces tools designed to help entrepreneurs assess whether they have the capacity and resources required before committing to new work.
Managing delivery and growth
PMI said entrepreneurs also face operational challenges as their businesses grow.
For example, a sponsored video can involve briefing, filming, editing and brand approval before publication. Delays at any stage can affect deadlines and costs.
The course’s “Organise the Work” module introduces approaches for breaking larger goals into manageable tasks, clarifying responsibilities and making dependencies visible.
Other modules focus on testing business assumptions, understanding customer behaviour and measuring whether activities are actually contributing to sales.
“A growing creator economy needs businesses that can deliver consistently and sustain the people behind them,” Asamani said.
The course also addresses the pressures that come with running a growing business. Modules such as “Lead Well Under Pressure” and “Build Your Support System” focus on communication, leadership, relationships and the systems entrepreneurs need to manage increasing demands.
Practical skills for entrepreneurs
PMI said the course uses a flexible, choose-your-own-adventure learning format, combining practical templates, reflection exercises, insights from experienced founders and AI-supported brainstorming.
The organisation said the objective is to give entrepreneurs practical tools they can immediately apply to their businesses rather than focusing solely on theory.
“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,” Asamani said.
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