Cameroon Ministry Launches Kaizen Awards for Business Efficiency

Cameroon has opened applications for the fifth edition of the Cameroon Kaizen Awards, targeting organizations that have introduced measurable improvements in productivity, workplace organization and operational efficiency. The Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, MINPMEESA, announced the launch on September 3, 2026. Applications must be submitted by email by 11:59 p.m. on October 21. According to the ministry’s statement, the competition is open to Cameroonian organizations of all sizes and sectors. It will recognize businesses and other entities that can demonstrate how the Kaizen continuous-improvement method or the related 5S workplace-management system has improved their operations. The launch comes as Cameroon expands the use of Kaizen among SMEs. In February 2026, MINPMEESA reported that cooperation with Japan had supported about 1,900 entrepreneurs and SMEs and trained 156 Kaizen consultants. Cameroonian participants have also won three African Kaizen awards, in 2020, 2022 and 2024, according to the ministry. Kaizen is a management approach centered on gradual and continuous improvements to business processes. ...