At present how to develop industries is a burning issue in Africa where population growth
remains high and economic development has thus far failed to provide sufficient jobs for many
especially young people and women. The creation of productive jobs through industrial
development ought to be a central issue in steering economic activity across the continent. The
authors of this book consisting of two development economists and five practitioners argue
that the adoption of Kaizen management practices which originated in Japan and have become
widely used by manufacturers in advanced and emerging economies is decisively the most
effective first step for industrial development in Africa. This open access book discusses what
Kaizen management is why it is applicable to Africa and why it can provide Africa with a
springboard for sustainable economic growth and employment generation.
