As we navigate an era increasingly driven by sustainable practices, one where Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles are not mere adjuncts, but rather integral components in planning, executing, and controlling projects, we see a significant shift, especially in Tanzania’s project landscape.
A recent event, spearheaded by project professionals from Project Management Institute (PMI) Tanzania Chapter and HEBO Consult, encapsulated this shift in a meaningful way. Dedicated to improving waste management in Dar es Salaam, the event’s significance lay not in the event itself but in what it symbolised: an inevitable shift towards ESG-driven project management.
The environmental component of ESG in project management, isn’t solely about regulatory compliance. It also focuses on mitigating environmental risks, improving resource efficiency, and incorporating eco-friendly practices. These principles are increasingly embedded in project design, planning, execution, and even closure, necessitating a paradigm shift in traditional project management approaches. By bringing together project professionals, environmental stakeholders, and government leaders like Hon. Saad Mtambule, the District Commissioner of Kinondoni District, it fostered a sense of community engagement, underscoring the social element of ESG principles.
The significance of the event transcended its immediate purpose and brought to the fore a broader picture — the transformation of the Tanzanian project landscape with the incorporation of ESG principles. As Adv. Kheri Mbiro, President of PMI Tanzania Chapter, aptly put it, this transformation endows project managers with the capacity to be agents of positive change.
Echoing this sentiment, Bulla Boma Hekeno, Co-founder and Director of HEBO Consult, shared her observations on major projects: “Projects like the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, and the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) have embedded strong ESG components. This trend is something we’ve noted at HEBO and are now actively working to integrate ESG effectively into our clients’ projects.”
As I pen this, I urge all project managers to heed the call to integrate ESG principles into our project management methodologies. Organizations like HEBO Consult and PMI Tanzania Chapter are already leading this movement, transforming the project management landscape in Tanzania and, by extension, Eastern Africa. It’s high time we broaden our perspectives, recognizing that ESG integration isn’t an extraneous task but a core part of our responsibilities. It’s a change that brings value, ensuring sustainable growth, resilience, and a lasting impact.
About HEBO Consult
HEBO Consult is a project management training firm dedicated to upskilling project professionals through PMI-approved training programs. As the first and only Tanzania-owned Authorized Training Partner certified by PMI, HEBO Consult delivers standardized project management training to professionals across Africa
References:
- PMI Tanzania Chapter. (2023). Mazingira Fundraising Cocktail.
- The Citizen Tanzania. (2022). Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project.
- TotalEnergies. (2021). East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline Project.
- Daily News Tanzania. (2022). Tanzania’s Standard Gauge Railway.
