Productivity in Africa: Mauritius to Host the Africa Kaizen Annual Conference 2026

The Africa Kaizen Annual Conference 2026 will take place in Mauritius, supported by AUDA-NEPAD and JICA, gathering African experts to discuss Kaizen, quality, and industrial productivity.

Mauritius is preparing to host the Africa Kaizen Annual Conference (AKAC) 2026, a continental event dedicated to enhancing quality and productivity in Africa. The government approved the hosting of this event on November 14, 2025, at the request of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD, the African Union's development agency.

The AKAC is part of the African Kaizen Initiative, which promotes the Kaizen approach as a lever for continuous improvement within public and private organizations. The conference will feature high-level roundtables on targeted themes related to productivity, quality, and business competitiveness. It will also include field visits to local organizations that have successfully implemented structured Kaizen practices, providing participants with tangible insights.

The conference will conclude with the presentation of the Africa Kaizen Awards, recognizing organizations that have rigorously integrated continuous improvement principles. This will be followed by the IV Capacity Building Program aimed at management and productivity professionals to consolidate achievements and broaden the dissemination of Kaizen practices across the continent.

Recognized as a continental platform, the AKAC brings together policymakers, academics, and practitioners focused on enhancing productivity and quality. The discussions aim to promote suitable policies, foster mutual learning, and co-create African solutions to bolster industrial capacities and business competitiveness. The initiative is jointly supported by AUDA-NEPAD and JICA, with a focus on industrial development based on approaches tailored to African realities.

The selection of Mauritius continues the country's notable participation in the 2025 AKAC, held in October 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. During this event, the National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) distinguished itself through its commitment to productivity, innovation, and continuous improvement. Mauritius's designation as an Africa Kaizen center of excellence, the achievements of Mauritian organizations in the Africa Kaizen Awards, the signing of a new technical cooperation project with JICA, and the contributions of NPCC experts to the Digital Kaizen program have enhanced the country's visibility.