Lean Six Sigma for organisational excellence in Sub-Saharan African services: a systematic literature review

This systematic literature review examines Lean Six Sigma (LSS) adoption in Sub-Saharan African service organisations, synthesising 20 empirical and foundational studies published between 2008 and 2026 following PRISMA guidelines. The review maps implementation frameworks, adoption drivers, barriers, and performance outcomes.

DMAIC-centred frameworks dominate across healthcare, financial services, logistics, and public sectors. Top management commitment, employee training, and frontline involvement emerge as the principal enablers, whilst resistance to change, resource constraints, skills shortages, and infrastructure deficits constitute persistent barriers. Documented outcomes include lead-time reductions of 18 to 44 per cent, cost savings of up to 23 per cent, and measurable gains in customer satisfaction.

The review contributes an original four-layer conceptual framework demonstrating how Ubuntu philosophy, high power-distance orientations, and institutional pluralism shape LSS effectiveness regionally. These findings affirm that operational excellence models require contextual grounding in emerging economies, with future research priorities identified in longitudinal sustainability, SME applicability, and public sector delivery.