At a time when emerging economies are focusing on job creation and skill development, large-scale investments in infrastructure and training are becoming increasingly important. In this space, Sanjeev Mansotra has been steadily building a presence through Planet One, positioning the group as a contributor to long-term development across Africa.
His approach reflects a focus on combining infrastructure with human capital. Through Planet One, he is currently leading a major expansion across countries in West Africa, including Togo, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Senegal. The initiative is designed not just as an investment, but as a structured effort to support social infrastructure development and economic growth at scale.
A key part of this expansion is its focus on vocational training and sector-based skill building. The projects are expected to create capacity to train nearly 20,000 youth annually across industries including agriculture, construction, food processing, hospitality, renewable energy and manufacturing. This reflects his broader belief that employment generation and skill development need to go hand in hand.
While the larger vision remains centred on development, the financial structure supporting these projects also plays an important role. The initiatives have received backing from various multilateral and regional financial institutions, including lines of credit from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, amongst other banks. This support highlights the level of institutional confidence in the project’s long-term viability and execution model.
Beyond numbers, Mansotra’s work shows a consistent focus on building systems that can sustain growth. His emphasis on agriculture, for instance, is tied to improving productivity and strengthening rural economies. By encouraging better farming practices and linking them with broader market systems, the projects aim to create income stability while also contributing to food security.
In Senegal, this approach is visible through Planet One’s collaboration with the government to develop 17 centres across the country. These centres are expected to support training and employment across multiple sectors, aligning with local economic priorities and infrastructure needs.
What stands out in Mansotra’s journey is the way he connects large investments with practical outcomes. Instead of treating projects as standalone developments, his model focuses on integration—bringing together training, infrastructure and financial planning into one framework.
As Planet One continues to expand its footprint in Africa, his role reflects a broader shift in how development projects are being approached. The focus is gradually moving from isolated investments to ecosystem-driven growth, where employment, infrastructure and long-term sustainability are closely linked.
In that sense, his work is not just about expansion into new markets, but about building structures that can support consistent and inclusive economic progress over time.