With the PMI Global Summit Series Cape Town on the horizon (14–15 September 2026), we sat down with fellow PMI Mauritius Chapter member Fadhil Sokheechand to hear about his experience at last year's PMI Global Summit Series Africa in Kigali, Rwanda — what surprised him, what stayed with him, and why he's already committed to going back.

Meet Fadhil

Tell us a bit about yourself and your project management journey so far. How long have you been a PMI Mauritius member?

I am a professional in the water sector with more than 21 years of experience. Throughout my career, I have evolved through several roles — Project Engineer, Operations Manager, and Technical Manager — gaining extensive exposure to both technical operations and project delivery.

My project management journey started in 2005, when I began my professional career as a fresh graduate. From my very first day at work, I was involved in projects that had to be delivered on time and within expectations. At that stage, I did not even realize that I was already practicing project management principles in my daily work.

In 2018, I had the opportunity to attend a 40-hour formal project management training course. However, due to the demands of multiple ongoing projects at the time, I was unable to dedicate the necessary time to sit for the certification exam.

Following the COVID period, I developed a stronger desire to move forward in my career and to give back to the professional community. I therefore decided to pursue the certification journey again — this time with the determination to complete it successfully. This effort culminated in obtaining my PMP certification in July 2024, after which I immediately became a member of the PMI Mauritius Chapter.

Being naturally ambitious and energetic, around 11 months ago — after nearly 20 years of collaboration with my previous management — I decided to embark on a new professional challenge. I joined Aqua Science & Technology, a member of the Taylor Smith Group, as Design and Business Development Manager, where I continue to contribute my experience while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.

How the Summit Got on His Radar

The PMI Global Summit isn't something most members get to attend. What first put it on your radar?

The PMI Global Summit Series Africa first came onto my radar through my growing involvement with the PMI Mauritius Chapter after obtaining my PMP certification in 2024. As I became more engaged within the PMI community, I started following PMI regional activities, professional discussions, and success stories shared by members across Africa.

At the same time, the Summit represented an important networking opportunity for Aqua Science & Technology, especially as our Group has the ambition to expand and establish a stronger presence within the Sub-Saharan region. The Summit is truly one of the largest professional platforms in Africa, bringing together representatives from 24 countries over three days. For me, it was a unique opportunity to connect with professionals, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations across the region.

I am sincerely thankful to the management of Aqua Science & Technology and the Taylor Smith Group for the trust they placed in me to represent our company at this prestigious summit. I would especially like to acknowledge our CEO, Mr. Eric Adam, our Managing Director, Mr. Mrinal Khadoo, and our Regional Sales Director, Mr. Clarel Fanchon, for their confidence, encouragement, and support throughout this journey.

Rwanda: Motivation and Experience

What ultimately pushed you to commit to travelling to Kigali for the Summit?

It was the fact that it was one of the biggest professional project management platforms in Africa. The Summit brought together participants from 24 countries, creating a unique environment where professionals from the public sector, private sector, and self-employed communities could come together around the same passion: project management, knowledge sharing, giving back to the community, and networking.

For me, it was more than just attending a conference — it was an opportunity to learn from diverse experiences, build meaningful connections across the African region, and represent both Mauritius and Aqua Science & Technology on such an important international stage. The possibility of interacting with professionals from different industries and cultures, all united by the same drive for excellence and collaboration, made the decision to travel to Kigali an easy one.

Tell us about your most memorable moment from Rwanda.

One of my most memorable moments was witnessing the incredible sense of unity, professionalism, and hospitality throughout the Summit.

A few moments truly stood out:

• Banky Wellington's powerful reminder: "Just fix the wall in front of you."
• Renee Ngamau, our master of ceremonies, reminding every project manager in the room that we are, in our own way, angels — quietly making things work for the people around us.
• And the unforgettable closing speech by Tunde Onakoya, who reminded us that hope and humanity still exist. Through his own story of hardship, illness, and poverty, he showed us that you should never abandon a vision for Africa. He brought this to life through Chess in Slums, an initiative that takes street children and gives them an identity through the game of chess.

I would strongly encourage everyone to look for these moments online under #PMIGlobalSummitSeriesAfrica.

Beyond the Summit itself, Kigali left a strong impression on me as a city — clean, modern, disciplined, and forward-looking. The warmth and welcoming spirit of the Rwandan people made the experience even more special. Representing both Mauritius and Aqua Science & Technology at such an important event was truly a proud and unforgettable moment in my professional journey.

What surprised you about the Summit, something you weren't expecting?

What surprised me the most was the scale of diversity and the level of engagement among participants. I was expecting a professional conference focused mainly on project management practices, but what I discovered was a truly inspiring platform bringing together professionals from very different sectors, cultures, and backgrounds — all connected by the same passion for leadership, innovation, and collaboration.

How did engaging with project managers from across Sub-Saharan Africa shift your perspective on the profession?

It significantly broadened my perspective. It made me realize that, despite the different industries, cultures, and economic realities across our countries, we all face very similar challenges — delivering projects under pressure, managing limited resources, adapting to change, and most importantly, creating value for people and communities.

Another important shift was understanding the strength of collaboration across the African continent. By exchanging experiences and lessons learned with professionals from 24 countries, I saw the immense potential for African project managers to support one another, share knowledge, and collectively contribute to the growth and future of the region. It made me feel even more proud to be part of the PMI community, and motivated me to continue contributing both professionally and personally.

Cape Town 2026: Looking Ahead

What's drawing you back to the Summit this year in Cape Town?

First and foremost, the opportunity to continue learning, connecting, and growing alongside some of the most inspiring project professionals across Africa and beyond. After the incredible experience in Kigali, I realized that the PMI Global Summit Series Africa is much more than a conference — it is a platform where ideas, experiences, and visions for the future of Africa come together.

From a professional perspective, the Summit is also closely aligned with the ambitions of Aqua Science & Technology and the Taylor Smith Group to expand our presence within the Sub-Saharan region. Events like these create valuable opportunities for networking, collaboration, and exploring future partnerships across the continent.

What would you say to a fellow PMI Mauritius member who's on the fence about attending a Global Summit one day?

If you ever have the opportunity, take it.

It is an experience that goes far beyond attending presentations or earning PDUs. It is an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. The Summit allows you to meet passionate project professionals from across Africa and the world — people who are facing similar challenges but also bringing different perspectives, ideas, and solutions. The networking opportunities are exceptional, and the conversations you have can open doors to new collaborations, friendships, and even career opportunities.

Join Us in Cape Town

The PMI Global Summit Series Cape Town takes place on 14–15 September 2026. If Fadhil's story has sparked something in you — curiosity, ambition, or simply the urge to be in the room — we encourage you to start planning now.

The PMI Mauritius Chapter is proud to see members like Fadhil represent our island on the regional stage, and we look forward to seeing more of our community in Cape Town this September.

Thank you, Fadhil, for sharing your experience with the Chapter.