Production and operations management advances operations management principles with a distinctly African perspective, combining solid theoretical foundations with practical engagement that resonates with Africa's unique socio-economic, cultural and environmental contexts. This tertiary education textbook makes quality operations management education freely accessible, adaptable, and shareable across varying socio-economic settings, reinforcing the commitment to equitable knowledge access and Africanisation of learning resources. Production and operations management integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals throughout each chapter, positioning operations management not merely as a technical discipline but as a powerful tool for promoting sustainable economic growth, social equity and environmental stewardship.

Designed for active, participatory learning, each chapter concludes with assessment activities that cultivate critical reflection, problem-solving and real-world application rather than simple knowledge testing. The book features contextually grounded case studies from African industries, services and public sector environments, illustrating both global best practices and regionspecific solutions. Professional standards are articulated through South African examples, whilst Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies are explored to help readers navigate the evolving digital operations landscape. Reflecting Ubuntu philosophy and South Africa's linguistic diversity, this resource serves as both an academic foundation and catalyst for professional excellence, inspiring a new generation of contextually relevant, globally informed operations management practitioners and scholars across Africa.