NPCC AND JICA SIGN AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE KAIZEN APPROACH IN MAURITIUS AND THE REGION

Port Louis, 20 March 2025: The National Productivity and Competitiveness Council (NPCC) has formalised a partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) through a technical cooperation project aimed at strengthening the NPCC’s role as a Centre of Excellence in disseminating the Kaizen approach in Mauritius and across neighboring countries.

The agreement was officially signed at the Ministry of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives between Mr. Deodass Appalswamy, Director Capacity Development, Corporate Services and Operations at NPCC and Mr. Toru Homma, Senior Advisor and Team Leader at JICA in the presence of senior officials of the ministry, NPCC cadres and JICA representatives. This collaboration marks a significant step in reinforcing Mauritius' commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement within enterprises and institutions.

Approved by the Government of Japan in February 2024, the Technical Cooperation Project will be implemented over a three-year period, commencing in October 2025 with the deployment of Japanese experts. The initiative is structured around two key objectives:

·       Enhancing the NPCC’s capacity as a Centre of Excellence to effectively disseminate the Kaizen methodology in Mauritius and the wider region;
·       Strengthening the ability of neighboring countries, including Madagascar, to adopt and implement the Kaizen approach for sustainable productivity and competitiveness.

“This collaboration with the JICA is a major milestone for the NPCC and Mauritius as a whole. By strengthening our ability to implement and share the Kaizen approach, we will be empowering businesses to achieve higher levels of productivity and efficiency. We look forward to the positive impact this project will bring to enterprises in Mauritius and the region,” said Mr. Appalswamy.

Mr. Homma also shared his thoughts on the agreement: “The JICA is pleased to collaborate with the NPCC on this transformative project. The Kaizen approach has proven its effectiveness worldwide in driving productivity and operational excellence. We are confident that this initiative will enhance NPCC’s capacity and contribute to sustainable economic growth in African countries.”

As part of the project, the NPCC’s team will undergo specialised training to better cater to the needs of enterprises in Mauritius and beyond. Additionally, Third Country Training programmes will be provided to help establishing a structured mechanism for the long-term application of Kaizen practices.

It is worth noting that a Detailed Planning Survey Team from JICA conducted the scoping mission in Mauritius from 10 to 20 March, following visits to Madagascar and Comoros. During their stay, they engaged with key stakeholders, undertook site visits to enterprises and held extensive discussions with the ministry and the NPCC. The delegation also met with the Minister of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, Honorable Aadil Ameer Meea.

To ensure effective implementation and progress monitoring, a Joint Coordinating Committee will be established, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Industry, SMEs and Cooperatives, the NPCC and JICA.

The Kaizen approach, originating from Japan, is a well-established philosophy focused on continuous, incremental improvements in processes, products and services. By fostering efficiency, reducing waste and driving sustainable competitiveness, Kaizen is applicable across all industries and organisational structures.

Through this initiative, Mauritius is poised to benefit extensively. Strengthening the NPCC’s role as a Centre of Excellence will not only promote regional collaboration but also support the Government’s broader strategy to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Furthermore, under the Africa Kaizen Initiative (AKI) – a joint framework established by JICA and AUDA-NEPAD in 2017 – NPCC is set to become an AKI-Centre of Excellence, reinforcing its position as a key player in advancing Kaizen principles within the African region.

This groundbreaking technical cooperation project, the first of its kind for the NPCC, is expected to deliver substantial value by leveraging Japan’s expertise in productivity and quality improvement practices.

Press Coverage on the NPCC-JICA Technical Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony

Le Japon et Maurice unissent leurs forces pour une économie plus performante (TOP FM Mauritius - 24.03.25)
Le ministre Ameer Meea et la JICA discutent du projet Kaizen (Defi Quotidien 19.03.25)
Le NPCC et la JICA signent un accord pour promouvoir l’approche Kaizen à Maurice et dans la region (Maurice Info 25.03.25)
Mauritius and JICA strengthen collaboration on Kaizen Project (GIS 19.03.25)
Le projet Kaizen pour renforcer la productivité locale et régionale (l'express 24.03.25)