African Kaizen Conference, officially known as the Africa Kaizen Annual Conference (AKAC) is a major continental event focused on accelerating Quality and Productivity Improvement (QPI) and Kaizen activities across Africa. Taking place in Boksburg, South Africa, from 27th to 28th October, 2025, the conference will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and productivity experts to share knowledge, advocate for supportive policies, and foster sustainable industrialization and competitiveness in African manufacturing and production sectors.

The 2025 conference theme is “African Industrialisation through Fostering Competitive Firms and Value Chains on the Continent,” targeting the strengthening of Africa’s manufacturing competitiveness and value chain development.

The conference promotes the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, which emphasizes continuous small improvements to increase efficiency, quality, and competitiveness.

The conference aims to strengthen Africa’s manufacturing competitiveness and value chain development, with a focus on inclusive economic growth and the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in industrial sectors.

Since its launch in 2017 by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the event has grown to cover more than 10 African countries, focusing on mutual learning and co-creation of African wisdom to build industrial capabilities.

The event includes policy discussions, workshops, recognition of top-performing companies in QPI through African Kaizen Awards, and capacity-building programmes. It also highlights the inclusion of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in industrial sectors, underlining Kaizen’s role in inclusive economic growth.