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The first Africa KAIZEN Award was held in Tunis, Tunisia from 24 to 26 June 2019. Out of 16 organizations and one team (circle) that were nominated, MAA Garment and Textiles PLC in Ethiopia and A to Z Textile Mills Ltd., in Tanzania received the Outstanding award. Three companies, Amhara Water Well Drilling Enterprise in Ethiopia, Lumen Special Cables in South Africa and SOMEF TUNISIE in Tunisia, received the Excellent Award. A team (circle) from Kanyama First level Hospital in Zambia received the Exemplary award.

While many nominees of the Award presented significant achievements, MAA Garment and Textile realized a wide range of improvements in productivity by implementing 10 advanced level Kaizen projects within their company. Similarly, A to Z Textile Mills Ltd. Performed quality improvement and reduction in waste materials through the effective application of Kaizen in various areas.

Winners of the outstanding prize will visit Japan in August to attend the 7th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 7). They will take part in the TICAD side-events and have the chance to visit some Japanese enterprises to witness the "original Kaizen".

"I am hoping that we can integrate new ideas by observing Japanese KAIZEN," said Mr. Daniel Gezae Huluf from MAA Garment and Textile, expressing his expectations.

The Kaizen Award is carried out as one of the programs during the "Africa Kaizen Annual Conference" organized by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA_NEPAD) and JICA. The annual conference is held as part of the Africa Kaizen Initiative. Two hundred participants attended the fourth edition of the conference from 17 countries.

(From left to right) Representatives from MAA Garment and Textile PLC (Ethiopia), A to Z Textile Mills (Tanzania) and Amhara Water Well Drilling Enterprise (Ethiopia).