The Africa Kaizen Annual Conference (AKAC) 2023, hosted at the Hilton Addis Ababa, Ethiopia  from October 9th to 10th, celebrated significant strides in quality and productivity improvements, reinforcing the Africa Kaizen Initiative’s (AKI) commitment to catalysing industrial development.

AKAC 2023, a collaborative effort by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), highlighted a turning point in AKI’s journey. It showcased noteworthy achievements, including increased participation from African nations in the Africa Kaizen Initiative Action Plan (AKI-AP) and reinforced African ownership of the initiative.

Originating from the attention garnered at the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in 2016, Kaizen emerged as a promising method for enhancing quality and productivity, with reported average improvements of 30%. In 2017, JICA and AUDA-NEPAD established the Africa Kaizen Initiative to amplify Kaizen activities, establish Centers of Excellence, and expand Kaizen practices continent-wide.

Since the execution of Africa Kaizen Intiative Action Plan 2021-2025, 13 countries, including Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Mauritius, and others, have showcased their achievements and plans. Working Groups were established to address critical issues, and their deliverables will be presented at AKAC 2023.

The conference aimed to bring together heads and practitioners of Kaizen institutions and National Productivity Organisations to discuss mid-term performances and challenges of Africa Kaizen Intiative Action Plan 2021-2025 and sought to comprehend the working group deliverables encourage and recognise best-performing companies, and convey critical messages to African leaders.

The conference reviewed the progress made under Africa Kaizen Intiative Action Plan, emphasising collective planning and performance reviews. The establishment of WGs, focusing on critical issues, demonstrated a proactive approach. The performance summary of 13 participating countries showcased tangible outcomes in productivity, quality, waste reduction, and other key indicators.

The conference concluded with a joint statement outlining commitments to promote the AKI Cluster Strategy, activate Africa-wide Kaizen activities, and maintain and strengthen AKI efforts. The participants shared a vision of contributing to Agenda 2063 through Kaizen, with a focus on the modernisation and growth of industrialisation.

As the AKI progresses into the remaining years of Africa Kaizen Intiative Action Plan 2021-2025 and beyond, the collaboration between JICA, AUDA-NEPAD, and other stakeholders remains crucial. The emphasis on Centers of Excellence, strategic planning through working groups, and the establishment of standards and certifications ensures the sustained impact of Kaizen practices in Africa.