The Cameroon Association of KAIZEN Professionals (ACPK) has launched a new 5S KAIZEN training programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cameroon. The initiative is designed to strengthen organisational performance across the country’s business landscape. It is backed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through the KAIZEN Project in Cameroon, and supported by the Ministry of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA) alongside the SME promotion agency (APME).
The programme is open to enterprises based in Yaounde and Douala, with eligibility criteria requiring a minimum of five employees and daily production or service activities. Targeted sectors include industry, hospitality, trade, agribusiness, healthcare, education, cosmetics, carpentry, restaurants, and services.
The 5S KAIZEN methodology, Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise and Sustain, has been globally recognised for its role in continuous improvement. By applying these principles, businesses can reduce waste, streamline operations, and improve efficiency. The ACPK initiative aims to embed these practices into Cameroon’s SME sector, which is widely regarded as the backbone of the national economy.
According to the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre (SBEC), SMEs in Cameroon are recognised as key contributors to job and wealth creation, particularly among youth and women-led enterprises. The sector remains central to national development strategies, including the National Development Strategy 2030 (NDS30), which aims to boost Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) to 25% by 2030, according to MINPMEESA.
MINPMEESA has identified SME productivity as a critical lever for economic resilience and import-substitution. The ACPK initiative is positioned as a practical tool to help SMEs adapt to market demands, improve service delivery, and enhance their contribution to national economic growth.
According to MINPMEESA, the stock of active SMEs expanded to more than 443,000 in 2024, representing roughly 99 per cent of all registered enterprises in the country. The latest figures show a continued rise in enterprise creation, with over 21,000 new SMEs registered in 2024 alone.
Business in Cameroon further reported that Cameroon’s economy has also undergone structural shifts, with the services sector alone contributing around 55 per cent of GDP as of August 2025, signalling the growing role of tertiary activities where many SMEs operate.
The new KAIZEN training programme arrives amid this backdrop of SME expansion. With SMEs dominating the non-oil economy, enhancing productivity and operational performance has emerged as a priority for both the public and private sectors. The 5S approach, which focuses on workplace organisation and efficiency, is widely used internationally to streamline processes, reduce waste and elevate quality control.
Entrepreneurs and business leaders are being urged to seize this opportunity to strengthen their operations and align with international standards of efficiency. Applications are open through an online form, and interested business leaders can contact the organisers by phone or email.
Mercy Fosoh
