In an interview with Josephine Okojie, ADEDAMOLA BOBADE, an experienced project manager and operational risk analyst, discusses the opportunities for building an ecosystem of support for sustainable development within the project management industry. She emphasizes the importance of investing in education, focusing on STEM disciplines and incorporating creative thinking and problem-solving skills into the curriculum. Collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industry can facilitate knowledge exchange and the commercialization of research findings. Bobade also highlights the challenges facing project management in Africa, including inadequate infrastructure, political instability, regulatory complexities, and skills gaps. She emphasizes the role of women in shaping the future of innovation, stating that women bring unique perspectives and experiences to the innovation process, driving creativity and problem-solving. To build a generation of women for leadership, Bobade suggests addressing structural barriers, providing support at every stage of their careers, empowering girls from a young age, and implementing policies promoting gender parity in leadership positions. In terms of balancing top-notch services with affordability, Bobade recommends strategic decision-making, operational efficiency, employee training and development, leveraging technology, and exploring alternative sourcing strategies. Project management plays a pivotal role in organizations by ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. Africa possesses a wealth of talent, but there's a need to invest in education and skills development. To combat talent flight and aid retention, companies in the tech industry should create a supportive and rewarding work environment, offer competitive salaries and benefits, build a culture of innovation and collaboration, provide clear career progression paths, recognize employees' contributions, and address broader societal issues. [4b36f548]