KAIZEN METHOD : Nearly 2,000 Cameroonian Companies Supported Over 11 Years
La voix des entreprises 
Achille Bassilekin III, ministre des Petites et moyennes entreprises et Okumoto Massakatsu, nouveau représentant résident de l’Agence japonaise de coopération internationale (JICA) au Cameroun.
(LVDE) — Driven by cooperation between Cameroon and Japan, the Kaizen approach is steadily establishing itself as a lever for continuous improvement within the national productive sector. Over eleven years of implementation, nearly 1,900 companies have benefited from structured support, resulting in African awards and more than one hundred quality certifications.
On February 18, 2026, a working session was held in Yaoundé between Achille Bassilekin III, Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, and Okumoto Massakatsu, the new Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Discussions focused on assessing the implementation of the Kaizen method in Cameroon since 2015 and outlining the prospects of its third operational phase.
Inspired by the Japanese model of continuous improvement, the Kaizen method is based on the gradual optimization of production and management processes. Over the past eleven years, 156 national consultants have been trained to disseminate these tools across the entrepreneurial ecosystem. According to figures released by the ministry, 1,900 enterprises have been assisted in identifying organizational constraints, streamlining procedures, and monitoring performance indicators.
The results recorded confirm the solid anchoring of the program. Three African awards were secured in 2020, 2022, and 2024, highlighting continental recognition of Cameroon’s experience. In addition, 101 certifications were issued through the national quality system, reflecting the adoption of international standards by beneficiary companies.
This momentum aligns with the government’s import-substitution policy and broader structural economic transformation agenda. SMEs, regarded as a cornerstone of inclusive growth, are encouraged to embrace practices that enhance competitiveness, cost efficiency, and product quality. The institutionalization of the Cameroon Kaizen Awards reinforces this drive by rewarding high-performing enterprises and promoting best practices.
The program’s third phase (2023–2027) places particular emphasis on expanding access to business support services. It includes strengthening the capacities of local consulting firms and deepening the integration of strategic management tools within priority value chains. The stated objective is to consolidate a national performance ecosystem capable of supporting industrialization and economic resilience.
After a decade of technical assistance, cooperation with JICA has helped establish a sustainable framework for continuous improvement. Authorities now aim to broaden the program’s reach, embedding a lasting culture of quality at the heart of Cameroon’s economy.
Esther Grace
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