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Retail campaign envisages futuristic fashion

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Sandton City

Sandton City spearheads the integration of AI in “Future Icons” campaign

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, July 3, 2023/APO Group/ — 

True to its promise to stay at the forefront of the African retail landscape, Sandton City (www.SandtonCity.com) in Johannesburg has taken another leap forward. Last year, the centre launched its “City of Icons” campaign, profiling iconic fashion staples such as the little black dress, denim, trench coat, hoodie and suit, with shoes, sunglasses, handbags, and lipstick, all must-haves for any fashion forward shopper. Now, the esteemed shopping centre has taken the campaign to another level, inviting shoppers to imagine what the city of icons will look like, in the future, featuring these iconic items, tech-nified.

Driven by a futuristic vision, tech savvy shoppers will be delighted to see artificial intelligence (AI) generated iterations of these items, and others, crafted in the same approach, that propel the imagination on a futuristic journey. Generated using a Midjourney Bot on Discord, a generative artificial intelligence program, the campaign aims to help visitors to the centre envisage incorporating these essential items into their future fashion routines and to imagine future possibilities, where technology and icons integrate.

The technology-driven communication elements will naturally reside in the digital space, adorning the screens throughout the centre. The messaging will be amplified on Sandton City’s social media by “friends of the brand,” such as Naqiyah Mayat, Kyle Clark, Zoe Msutwana and Victoria Duckitt, as well as by thought leaders in fashion, beauty, accessories and technology, including Nafisa Akabor, Angie Detsikas, Europa Art Group’s Director and Buyer Melina Lambrakis and Dior South Africa’s General Manager Armine Anders.

To view the first video, click here (https://apo-opa.info/3JJ4c3Y).

More video – (https://apo-opa.info/3NAOcSK).

Pioneering the evolution of retail through cutting-edge innovation is a key priority for Sandton City

Sandton City will also be producing a futuristic docuseries featuring these individuals, that takes shoppers on a behind-the-scenes journey to unveil how the AI was leveraged. The six-part series, to be showcased on social media, also gives insight into how different retailers in the centre are embracing AI technology to improve and personalise the retail offerings in the centre.

This exceptionally forward-thinking campaign, not only rises to the occasion, but simultaneously showcases the future of retail marketing. An AI model, ChatGPT, was leveraged to script the centre’s social media component of the campaign, whilst an AI text to speech generator enhanced the voice over recorded for the videos. By leveraging this iconic technology, the ambition is to enhance its relationships with visitors to the centre, and play a role in the future of their imagination.

“Pioneering the evolution of retail through cutting-edge innovation is a key priority for Sandton City,” said Dimitri Kokinos, General Manager of Sandton City. “By continuously pushing the boundaries, we aim to remain ahead of the curve and to inspire our shoppers with the belief that the future is an exciting space, filled with limitless possibilities for all of us” he added.

For more information and regular updates go to www.SandtonCity.com or follow the centre on social media @SandtonCitymall.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Sandton City.

Energy

Nigeria Accelerates $750B Mining Vision Ahead of African Mining Week (AMW) 2026

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Etu Energias

African Mining Week will showcase opportunities within Nigeria’s mining value chain as the country seeks capital to unlock its $750 billion worth of untapped mineral deposits

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 24, 2026/APO Group/ –Nigeria’s mining sector is entering a new phase of growth as regulatory reforms, downstream investments and international partnerships strengthen investor confidence in one of Africa’s largest untapped mineral markets. The country’s solid minerals sector has secured approximately $3 billion in investments over the past three years, reflecting growing investor confidence as the West African nation seeks to bridge the financing gap hindering large-scale mining development.

 

The investment milestone comes as Nigeria deepens engagement with investors to unlock its estimated $750 billion in untapped mineral resources. The country is targeting an increase in mining’s contribution to GDP to 10%, creating lucrative investment opportunities for global mining industry players.

These developments come as African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 – Africa’s Most Influential Mining Conference, taking place in Cape Town from October 14-16 – prepares to showcase Nigeria’s expanding project pipeline and investment opportunities. Through dedicated country sessions, project showcases and executive networking, the event will connect international investors with Nigerian policymakers, mining companies and service providers driving the country’s mining transformation.

Nigeria’s expanding investment pipeline is a testament to its drive to strengthen partnerships. In June 2026, indigenous company Romulus Mining announced plans to increase investments across its gold and lithium portfolio from approximately $50 million to $150 million over the next three years, underscoring growing private sector confidence in the country’s mining outlook.

A partnership deal signed with Turkey in May 2026 is expected to support cooperation in geological exploration, mining technologies, digitalization and capacity building, while creating new opportunities for Turkish investment and technical expertise across Nigeria’s mining value chain.

Meanwhile, the advancement of several downstream projects – including a $600 million lithium processing facility in Nasarawa State and a $200 million lithium processing plant in Abuja – underscores Nigeria’s commitment to boosting mineral production and supporting industrialization.

Amid these developments, AMW 2026 provides a timely platform for investors seeking to capitalize on one of Africa’s most promising mining markets. The event will facilitate strategic partnerships that support exploration, mineral processing and long-term industry growth, reinforcing Nigeria’s ambition to develop a $1 billion economy by 2030 on the back of its mining industry.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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Business

6th Canada-Africa Business Conference Opens in Lagos, Headline Sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc

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Ateau Zola

Zenith Bank CEO Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji welcomes delegates as Canada and Africa’s private-sector leaders gather to advance trade, investment and partnership

LAGOS, Nigeria, June 24, 2026/APO Group/ –The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business (www.CanadaAfrica.ca) today opens the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, headline sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc, bringing together senior decision-makers from Canada, Nigeria and across African markets for two days of trade and investment engagement.

In his message (https://apo-opa.co/43TPktb) to delegates, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney proudly offered his warmest greetings to delegates: “As we gather today, I would like to recognize the Canada-Africa Chamber of Business for convening leaders from across Canada and Africa to advance investment, trade, and partnership—connecting businesses and institutions to drive practical collaboration and shared growth.”

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Hon. Maninder Sidhu underscored the vital importance of the program to accelerate trade and investment:

““Nigeria is Canada’s second largest merchandise trading partner in Africa, with bilateral trade exceeding close to $3 billion in 2025—and there is enormous potential to grow that relationship even further, including in financial services, infrastructure, energy, critical minerals, agriculture and clean tech.”

“Canada is committed to working with our Nigerian partners to attract investments, strengthen supply chains, and create good jobs and new opportunities in both our countries. The relationships built at this conference will help move that work forward, they will lead to new partnerships, new investments, and new opportunities for our people.”

— Hon. Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, Canada

The conference is designed as a practical platform for business leaders, investors, policymakers and institutional partners to identify opportunities, build relationships and advance commercial partnerships across sectors including financial services, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture, clean technologies and the wider innovation economy.

“On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of Zenith Bank Plc, I extend a very warm welcome to all delegates attending the 6th Canada-Africa Business Conference in Lagos, Nigeria. As headline sponsor, we are honoured to enable the hosting of this this distinguished gathering in our home city, the commercial heartbeat of Africa.”

The relationships built at this conference will help move that work forward, they will lead to new partnerships, new investments, and new opportunities for our people

— Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Bank Plc

In her conference message, Dame Dr. Umeoji commended The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business for convening senior decision-makers from across Canada and Africa to advance trade, investment and partnership, while also recognizing the Government of Canada’s commitment to deepening commercial ties with Nigeria and the wider continent.

“The opportunity before us is substantial. Nigeria is Canada’s second-largest merchandise trading partner in Africa, with growing demand across financial services, infrastructure, energy, mining, agriculture and clean technologies.”

— Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Bank Plc

Zenith Bank’s participation underscores the importance of financial platforms, trade finance, treasury solutions and corporate and investment banking expertise in turning Canada-Africa relationships into bankable opportunities.

“Our commitment extends well beyond this conference: to every partnership that creates jobs, builds infrastructure and drives shared growth, innovation and sustainable prosperity between our two nations.”

— Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith Bank Plc

“Lagos is an ideal setting for this next chapter of Canada-Africa engagement. With Zenith Bank as headline sponsor, the Chamber is proud to convene a program that showcases Nigerian excellence, Canadian ambition and the commercial partnerships that can serve global markets.”

— Garreth Bloor, President, The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

In addition to Zenith Bank Plc as Conference Headline Sponsor, the conference is supported by Elephant Trade-Services DRC as Headline Chamber Sponsor, GardaWorld Security as Gold Conference Sponsor, and Silver Conference Sponsors Banwo & Ighodalo, Baywood Group, CBI News, Dentons, Eko Hotels & Suites, and Voranex Africa. The Government of Canada is recognized as Chamber Partner, with Abide Consulting serving as Conference Partner.

The two-day program includes keynote addresses, interactive panels, executive networking and business-to-business engagement, with a focus on practical outcomes for Canadian and African companies seeking growth, market access and long-term partnership.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business.

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Energy

Uganda’s $500B Growth Ambition Puts Mining Reform and Critical Minerals in Focus at African Mining Week (AMW) 2026

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Etu Energias

African Mining Week will connect Ugandan stakeholders with global investors, fostering discussions on the future of mining in the East African country

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 24, 2026/APO Group/ –As Uganda accelerates its Ten-Fold Growth Strategy aimed at expanding its economy from $59.3 billion to $500 billion by 2040, the African Mining Week (AMW) 2026 conference will serve as a key platform to connect the country’s mining sector with global capital and technical partners.

 

AMW 2026 – scheduled for October 14-16 in Cape Town – will feature a dedicated Uganda Country Spotlight, showcasing emerging investment opportunities across the mining value chain as well as ongoing regulatory reforms designed to improve the country’s investment climate.

AMW comes as a critical time for Uganda as the country advances its Mining and Minerals (Amendment) Bill 2026 to improve investor protections, licensing efficiency, local content participation and the mining sector’s contribution to GDP. The country spotlight offers a platform for Ugandan authorities to pitch global investors on streamlined licensing, new incentives and emerging investment prospects.

Uganda is also finalizing preparations for its 2026/2027 oil and mineral exploration licensing round, designed to unlock new greenfield opportunities across the critical mineral sector. AMW will highlight emerging investment opportunities in cobalt, copper, iron ore, graphite, and rare earths as Uganda prioritizes critical minerals to achieve 8% annual economic growth through 2030.

In the gold sector, Uganda is advancing formalization and industrialization initiatives, integrating artisanal and small-scale miners (ASGM) – who account for 90% of gold production – into the formal economy. The launch of three-year Domestic Gold Purchase Program and the commissioning of the Wagagai Gold Project and refinery reinforces Uganda’s strategy to boost local value addition and strengthen its gold industry ecosystem.

The Uganda Country Spotlight at AMW 2026 will convene regulators, project developers, mining companies, financiers and global service providers to shape the future trajectory of Uganda’s mining sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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