Topics & Events

It has been a little over a decade since JICA first piloted its KAIZEN project in Ethiopia to propel the manufacturing industry to an enhanced state of productiveness, competitiveness, and efficiency. Since then, over 1,000 companies have introduced KAIZEN and the philosophy continues to gain acceptance in Ethiopia, expanding from the manufacturing industry into schools, hospitals, and the service industry.

On May 1st, top performing companies were awarded for their implementation of KAIZEN. During the ceremony, H.E Mr. Melaku Alebel, Minister of Industry, noted that "[Ethiopia's] industrial bottlenecks are caused by a shortage of knowledge, and this can be fixed through KAIZEN, by sharing knowledge and skills".

The Government of Japan, through JICA, has built the TICAD-Center, a new headquarters and training center for the Kaizen Excellence Center (KEC). It will accommodate 50,000 trainees a year, with the goal of becoming the main hub for KAIZEN dissemination in Africa. The Center will be completed in June with the official inauguration slated to take place later in 2023.

Group picture of awardees.

Opening remarks by H.E. Melaku Alebel, Minister of Industry

Message from JICA's Senior Representative Mr. Shintaro Takano

Presentation on the impact of KAIZEN at Wanza Furnishing Industries.

Words of wisdom and encouragement from Mr. Getahun Tadesse, KAIZEN Advisor to AUDA-NEPAD, former Director of the Ethiopian Kaizen Institute (now KEC).

Award distribution to the winners by Japanese Ambassador Takako ITO

2023 Ethiopian Kaizen Award Winners

1. Individual award (Award for implementing organization staff):
H.E. Mr. Teshale Belihu, MOTRI state minister, gave this award

• Mr. Wondwosen Tesfaye from Belay-ab motors ……1st
• Mr. Dawit Bekele from Belay-ab motors ……2nd
• Mr. Nassir Adem, Werabe Polytechnic college ……3rd

2. Kaizen team (Award for teams in the kaizen implementing organization)
H.E. Ambassador Takako Ito gave this award

2.1. Manufacturing sector

• Minch Kaizen team from Modern Construction Inputs Production Industry ……1st
• Explore Kaizen team from Modern Construction Inputs Production Industry ……2nd
• Scrap reduction kaizen team from Amhara Pipe Factory ……3rd

2.2. Service sector:

• The team work on children from Felege hiwot comprehensive specialized hospital ……1st
• Tokuma Kaizen team from Jimma Polytechnic College ……2nd
• Keti Kaizen team from Adama polytechnic college ……3rd

3. Company award
H.E. Mr. Melaku Alebel gave the award for the companies and appreciation certificate for JICA and ILO.

3.1. Manufacturing sector

• Wanza Furniture Industry ……1st
• Adama Agricultural Machineries Production ……2nd
• Amhara Pipe Factory and Addis Gas Plastic Factory ……3rd

3.2. Service sector

• Felege hiwot general specialized hospital ……1st
• Werabe Poly Technic College ……2nd
• Ethiopian Trading Business Corporation ……3rd

4. Companies on sustaining the kaizen philosophy

• Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency Hawasa Branch
• Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency Gondar Branch
• Belay-ab Cable Industry