South Africa to Host 2025 Africa Kaizen Conference to Boost Industrial Growth

South Africa will host the 2025 Africa Kaizen Annual Conference (AKAC) — a flagship continental event designed to advance industrial competitiveness, productivity, and value chain integration across Africa. The conference, scheduled to take place from 27–28 October 2025 in Boksburg, Gauteng, will convene policymakers, business leaders, academics, and productivity experts from across the continent to discuss strategies for sustainable industrialisation and economic transformation.

A Platform for Africa's Industrial Transformation

Held under the theme "African Industrialisation through Fostering Competitive Firms and Value Chains on the Continent", the 2025 AKAC will focus on strengthening Africa's production capacity and promoting innovation-driven competitiveness. The event forms part of a broader partnership between South Africa and Japan, aimed at enhancing productivity and quality management across key industries.

Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau highlighted the significance of the Kaizen philosophy in building inclusive and competitive economies. "Kaizen is not just a philosophy; it is a practical approach to improving productivity, competitiveness, and inclusion across the value chain. One of its key objectives is to strengthen supplier competitiveness, while advancing transformation and ensuring the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the automotive sector," Tau said.

The collaboration between South Africa's Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) dates back to 2011 through a Joint Technical Cooperation Agreement, which has since evolved into a strategic platform for industrial improvement and capacity development across Africa.

The Kaizen Philosophy: A Foundation for Continuous Improvement

The Kaizen philosophy, originating from Japan, translates to "change for the better" — with "kai" meaning change and "zen" meaning good. It emphasizes continuous improvement through small, incremental changes that collectively drive major efficiency gains. Kaizen has become a cornerstone of lean manufacturing worldwide, focusing on the idea that every employee, from the shop floor to management, contributes to ongoing innovation and performance enhancement.

Over time, Kaizen principles have been successfully adapted to African contexts through the Africa Kaizen Initiative (AKI), co-launched in 2017 by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and JICA. The initiative now spans over 10 African countries, fostering a growing movement of enterprises committed to Quality and Productivity Improvement (QPI).

South Africa's Progress Through the QPI Project

Minister Tau revealed that South Africa has already recorded significant achievements through the QPI Project, which applies Kaizen techniques to boost industrial performance. Between 2023 and 2025, the Basic Kaizen Training Programme improved productivity indicators at 66 companies by an average of 53.5% — a clear demonstration of the philosophy's practical impact.

The Digital Kaizen initiative is also making strides by helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) integrate data-driven decision-making tools, enabling them to optimize processes, reduce waste, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

Collaborative Partnerships Driving Change

Several partners in the National Quality and Productivity Network (NQPN) will play a central role in the 2025 conference. These include:

• Productivity SA

• Automotive Industry Development Centres (Gauteng and Eastern Cape)

• Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Initiative

• Plastics SA

• Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA)

• Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF)

These collaborations represent an integrated effort to strengthen industrial ecosystems, align with continental trade frameworks, and support the aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Linking Kaizen to Agenda 2063 and Continental Goals

The Africa Kaizen Annual Conference is not only a technical event — it is a key instrument for realising the African Union's Agenda 2063, which envisions "an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens." Kaizen's emphasis on continuous improvement, collaboration, and inclusion directly supports the goals of sustainable industrialisation, skills development, and innovation-led growth.

Minister Tau stressed that the Kaizen approach helps build the productive capacity and innovation base needed for Africa's transformation. "It supports our broader goal of realising the aspirations of Agenda 2063 — a transformed, inclusive, and sustainable African economy," he said.

Celebrating Excellence in Productivity

The two-day event will culminate in the Africa Kaizen and South African National Productivity Awards, hosted by Productivity SA. The awards will honour organisations that exemplify excellence in efficiency, innovation, and continuous improvement, highlighting the individuals and institutions driving Africa's industrial future.

With South Africa at the helm of the 2025 Africa Kaizen Annual Conference, the continent's commitment to building resilient industries, empowering workers, and fostering inclusive economic growth is set to gain new momentum — reinforcing Kaizen as both a philosophy and a pathway toward Africa's shared prosperity.