Project News

The Ethiopian Kaizen Institute (EKI) conducted a KAIZEN (5s) seminar for the Government of Djibouti in Addis Ababa on January 30 and 31. The JICA Kaizen Project is engaged in the development of Kaizen consultants and the institutionalization of Kaizen so that EKI can function as a Center of Excellence in the dissemination of Kaizen within Africa.

In response to the request from the JICA Djibouti Office, nine representatives from the Djiboutian government (comprising of the Coast Guard, Road Authority, Waste Management, National Civil Protection and Geothermal Energy Development Office) were invited to Addis Ababa for the seminar.

The first day of the Seminar took place at the JICA Ethiopia Office. Participants presented on the challenges within their organizations and how they thought they could benefit from Kaizen. This was followed by presentations on Kaizen and the 5S method by Ms. Seblewongel Haregewein, Deputy Director of the manufacturing sector at EKI. The participants also viewed a 2S implementation video on how to begin introducing Kaizen to their workplaces.

The second day started with a visit to EKI where the Director General, Mr. Mekonnen Yaie, explained the inception of the Kaizen in Ethiopia, the journey towards institutionalizing the management method, and some of their success stories since 2005.

In order for the participants to observe the tangible benefits of Kaizen they visited NA Metal Engineering Company, a truck assembling plant on the outskirts of Addis Ababa. The company begun implementing Basic Kaizen practices on its factory floor with the assistance of Kaizen Consultants from EKI in January 2018. Within six months, NA Metal received a certificate of recognition from the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and EKI.

The Kaizen Seminar was an eye-opening experience for the participants. Mr Keder Abdurahman expressed that seeing kaizen practices in Ethiopia has inspired him to instill similar changes in his organization in Djibouti.

Going forward, EKI's goal is to provide Kaizen services tailored to the needs of neighboring countries, and to promote Kaizen practices to public institutions and service industries. Currently EKI is developing and standardizing its teaching materials.

Presentations at the JICA Ethiopia Office

On the factory floor at NA Metal Engineering

Group photo of the participants with Mr. Mekonnen Yaie and Ms. Seblewongel Haregewein from EKI