In an era where career progression often feels like a slow climb, what if one of the most powerful accelerators is also one of the most overlooked? George Asamani, Managing Director of the Project Management Institute (PMI) for Sub-Saharan Africa, argues that volunteering is precisely this underappreciated pathway – a potent tool for building capability, credibility, and leadership, especially across emerging markets in Africa.
Beyond Goodwill: A Strategic Career Move
“Volunteering is often framed as an act of goodwill rather than a pathway to professional growth. This view misses an important point. In many cases, volunteering is one of the most effective ways to build capability, credibility, and leadership,” Asamani explains. With April designated as Global Volunteer Month, it’s a timely reminder to reconsider volunteering not just as altruism, but as a strategic investment in one’s future.
The challenge in Africa is stark: millions of young Africans enter the job market annually, yet employers consistently report gaps in experience, problem-solving skills, and leadership readiness. Asamani notes, “The issue is not a lack of talent, but a lack of exposure.” Traditional career paths often fail to provide the breadth of experience needed in a rapidly evolving economy.
Bridging the Experience Gap with Real Responsibility
“Volunteering, when approached with intention, can help close this gap. It puts people in situations where they are given real responsibility,” Asamani states. This is evident in global professional communities like PMI, where nearly 18,000 volunteers contribute to initiatives that shape industry practices and build collective capability. Volunteering, in this context, mirrors the pressures and demands of formal roles, but without the often-long wait for such opportunities, making it particularly valuable for early and mid-career professionals.
Accelerated Leadership Development
One of the most compelling aspects of volunteering is its ability to fast-track leadership development. In conventional settings, leadership often requires years of experience and senior titles. However, volunteer environments frequently thrust individuals into leadership roles much earlier. Managing projects, leading teams, engaging stakeholders, and navigating challenges become part of the day-to-day experience, fostering a growth trajectory that is hard to replicate within more rigid organizational structures.
The True Value of Non-Monetary Compensation
While the absence of financial compensation can be a deterrent, especially in contexts where financial pressure is high, Asamani urges a broader view of value. “The benefits of volunteering may not be immediate, but they are significant. It builds experience that sets you apart, creates networks that open doors, and shows your ability to lead and deliver. Over time, these advantages grow and compound.”
Volunteering also cultivates a distinct professional network – one built on shared purpose rather than transactional gain. These relationships can offer invaluable mentorship, support, and opportunities in markets where professional systems are still maturing, often opening doors that might otherwise remain closed.
Shaping Global Standards, Not Just Following Them
As African economies become increasingly interconnected globally, it’s crucial for professionals not just to adhere to international standards, but to actively help shape them. Many of these standards emerge from collaborative efforts, often driven by professionals contributing their expertise voluntarily. Engaging in these processes allows individuals to transcend their immediate organizational roles and participate in wider professional dialogues, influencing the future of their fields.
The Power is in Purposeful Engagement
It’s important to acknowledge that not all volunteering yields the same returns. “The value lies not in the act itself, but in the quality of the experience,” Asamani advises. Roles that demand accountability, offer exposure to diverse perspectives, and involve measurable outcomes contribute most meaningfully to personal and professional growth. Approached with such intention, volunteering transforms from merely giving time into a deliberate and strategic investment in one’s development.
For individuals, the message is clear: in an environment where experience is often the biggest hurdle to career progression, volunteering offers a practical way to overcome it, build a track record, test capabilities, and expand horizons. For Africa as a whole, the implication is equally profound: if more professionals engage in meaningful volunteer work, the cumulative effect is a stronger, more capable workforce, better equipped to navigate complexity and drive project success. The question, Asamani concludes, is not whether volunteering is worthwhile, but “whether Africa can afford to overlook one of the most accessible ways to build the experience its workforce urgently needs.”
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