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Canon Central & North Africa Hosts Annual Dealer Conference in Dubai to Drive Innovation and Customer Experience

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Canon

The event provided dealers with valuable market insights & trends, a strategic outlook of the African business model, and Canon leadership’s vision for the coming years

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 15, 2024/APO Group/ — 

The conference, themed “ICE,” highlighted Canon’s innovations, customer relationships, and an immersive imaging experience; Canon (www.Canon-CNA.com) recognized top-performing partners in five categories for B2B and B2C businesses at the conference.

Canon, a global leader in imaging solutions, successfully hosted its annual dealer conference at Hilton Habtoor City in Dubai, bringing together 144 channel partners, system integrators, industry verticals and value-added resellers from across Africa. The conference, themed “ICE: Innovation, Customer, and Experience,” focused on showcasing Canon’s latest innovations, strengthening relationships with customers, and providing attendees with an immersive experience of the entire Canon’s imaging ecosystem.

Aligned with Canon’s strategy of getting closer to its customers, the dealer conference served as a platform to foster stronger partnerships and explore new opportunities. The event provided dealers with valuable market insights & trends, a strategic outlook of the African business model, and Canon leadership’s vision for the coming years. The main aim of this comprehensive approach was to empower dealers to gain key insights and tailor their business strategies to the unique needs of the Africa’s imaging market. The event also highlighted Canon’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the diverse needs of businesses and consumers in Africa.

To facilitate a comprehensive understanding of Canon’s offerings, the conference featured dedicated zones showcasing a wide range of products and solutions.

Business-To-Consumer Zones

We are committed to fostering strong partnerships and delivering exceptional experiences to our customers, empowering them to achieve their goals and unlock new opportunities

  • Content Creator Zone: This zone showcased Canon’s EOS R50, PowerShot V10, and EOS R8 cameras, designed to empower content creators, including photographers, videographers and social media influencers with exceptional image and video quality. Attendees learned how these cameras, paired with the Camera Connect app, streamline content transfer, and enhance workflow efficiency. Additionally, the zone highlighted Canon Academy Video, an immersive virtual online film school which is a valuable resource for content creators seeking to improve their skills on production stages, equipment, techniques and much more.
  • EOS R System Zone: This exclusive zone featured the newly launched EOS R5 Mark II and EOS R1 cameras, designed for professional photographers and videographers. Dealers had the opportunity to experience these cutting-edge products firsthand and witness their capabilities through live demonstrations showcasing their potential applications in various creative fields, such as sports, portrait photography, wildlife photography, documentary filmmaking, and more.
  • Cinema Zone: This zone highlighted Canon’s EOS R Cinema range of cameras and lenses, featuring the newly launched EOS C400 and EOS C80 models. Dealers had the opportunity to explore these professional-grade cameras and learn about their advanced features and capabilities for filmmaking and video production. Engineered to meet the high standards of cinematographers, Canon Cinema lenses offer exceptional optical performance, robust build quality, and versatility to meet the exacting requirements of film productions.
  • Home Zone: This zone focused on Canon’s consumer printing solutions, featuring the Maxify range and its banner printing capabilities. Attendees also explored the G-series printer range and learned about the benefits of i-Sensys Cloud connectivity (https://apo-opa.co/406o0Y6) including seamless hybrid working, agile collaboration, and easy printing and scanning from/to popular cloud storage platforms. The zone also showcased the Canon digital guide and Canon Print Hub (https://apo-opa.co/4eG2fCX) which is the first point of call to find a fountain of knowledge to make the most from your Canon printer (https://apo-opa.co/4gYImIC).
  • Education Zone: This zone highlighted Canon’s World of Education (https://apo-opa.co/4eG2gH1) which displayed the brand’s commitment to education and sustainability. Attendees learned about Canon’s various education programs and how they empower young African youth through technology and knowledge.

Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director mentioned: “Our annual dealer conference in Dubai was a resounding success, providing an excellent opportunity to connect with our valued partners across Africa. By showcasing our latest innovations and highlighting the benefits of our products, we aim to empower our partners to achieve their goals and business objectives. I would also like to congratulate the dealers who have won awards for their remarkable contributions to Canon’s success. We are committed to fostering strong partnerships and delivering exceptional experiences to our customers, empowering them to achieve their goals and unlock new opportunities. “

Business-To-Business Zones

  • B2B Solutions for Remote Working: Revised Paragraph: This zone highlighted Canon’s document and information management solutions (DIMS) and key products tailored to support remote workforces and boost productivity. Among the featured offerings were the laser printers i-SENSYS MF655Cdw and i-SENSYS MF463dw, as well as the inkjet printers GX2040 and GX7040. These products & solutions, designed to cater to business-to-business needs, offer reliable printing solutions for remote workers, ensuring efficient document management and seamless collaboration.
  • SMBs: This zone highlighted Canon’s solutions designed for small and medium-sized businesses, including printers, scanners, and software aimed at streamlining operations and enhancing efficiency. Featured products included the Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX C5800 Series, advanced multifunction devices that accelerate document management and processing, and the Canon imagePROGRAF TM-350/355 MFP Lm36, a sustainable 36-inch multifunction printer renowned for its quiet operation, high productivity, intuitive interface, professional image quality, and integrated scanning capabilities. The integration of uniFLOW software further empowers businesses by automating workflows, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring secure document handling.
  • Public, Corporate Bodies: This zone highlighted Canon’s solutions designed for government agencies and large corporations, focusing on document management, security, and workflow optimization. Featured products included the Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE DX 8900 Series, smart and secure A3 monochrome multifunction devices offering professional-quality output and a wide range of finishing options. The Canon imagePROGRAF TX-4200, a versatile 44-inch large format printer, ensures advanced productivity and reliable quality. Additionally, the document scanners integrated with Scan 2x technology provide efficient and secure document capture.
  • Commercial & In-House printing:  This zone showcased Canon’s solutions tailored for commercial and in-house printing, catering to print houses, print solution providers, print centers and organizations seeking in-house printing capabilities. The product featured included Canon imagePRESS V900 Series, which is a range of compact and reliable digital printing presses designed to meet the demanding requirements of print service providers and digital commercial environments. With its exceptional image quality, high productivity, and versatile finishing options, the imagePRESS V900 Series empowers businesses to deliver professional-grade printed materials efficiently and cost-effectively.

Amine Djouahra, B2B Business Unit Director said: “The dealer conference provided a valuable platform to showcase our comprehensive range of products, from scanners to large format printers and production print equipments, offering complete input-to-output solutions tailored to the diverse needs of small businesses, medium-sized enterprises, corporations, and print providers. By demonstrating how our technology can enhance productivity, streamline workflows, and drive business growth, we aim to strengthen our partnerships and position Canon as the preferred choice for businesses across Africa. I would like to commend all our partners who have been recognized with awards for their outstanding achievements. Their dedication and hard work have contributed significantly to Canon’s success.”

To celebrate the conference, Canon hosted a gala dinner and an awards ceremony to recognize and reward its top-performing partners. The awards were presented in five categories for both B2B and B2C businesses, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to Canon’s success.

By hosting this exclusive event, Canon has reinforced its position as a leading imaging solutions provider in Africa and reaffirmed its dedication to innovation, customer satisfaction, and exceptional experiences.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

Business

African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 Technical Sessions Put Technology Behind Africa’s Next Energy Projects in Focus

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African Energy Chamber

Day 2 technical sessions at African Energy Week 2026 will examine frontier exploration, major gas developments, project economics and the technologies supporting Africa’s expanding oil, gas and LNG sectors

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, September 22, 2026/APO Group/ –African Energy Week (AEW) 2026’s Day 2 Technical Stages will put the technology and technical expertise behind Africa’s next wave of energy projects in focus, with sessions covering subsurface interpretation, deepwater exploration, gas development, project economics, digitalization, offshore operations and infrastructure.

 




  

The program will unfold across two exhibition-hall stages, with the Drill Room focusing on practical applications across exploration, gas development, offshore operations and LNG, while the Innovation Hub will examine frontier exploration, energy markets, digital technologies and infrastructure. Together, the sessions connect project-level technologies with the wider investment and development challenges facing Africa’s energy industry.

The day opens with GeoEnergy Petroleum Director Maged Fahim, who will examine how legacy and newly acquired subsurface datasets can be integrated with modern technologies to identify additional upstream opportunities. TGS Principal Exploration Advisor Felicia Winter will then focus on Angola’s deepwater basins, examining how modern seismic acquisition and imaging can be used to reinterpret existing data and evaluate frontier plays.

The discussions come as Angola seeks to build on renewed offshore activity. TotalEnergies announced in September that it plans to invest $10 billion in Angola over the next five years, including in exploration, while advancing its $6 billion Kaminho deepwater development.

Gas development will take center stage through two presentations by TotalEnergies. Alexandre Depiesse, GPI Venus, will address appraisal strategies and commercial viability for Orange Basin discoveries, while Mozambique LNG Operations and Project Director Nicolas Cambefort will examine development and optimisation of the Rovuma Basin gas resources. Mozambique LNG, a 13.1-million-ton-per-year project in Area 1 led by TotalEnergies, resumed activities in January 2026 following the lifting of force majeure, putting development of Mozambique’s major offshore gas resources back into focus.

AEW 2026 reflects the practical challenges facing Africa’s energy industry as projects move from resource potential toward development and production

The Republic of Congo National Showcase will provide another perspective on Africa’s expanding LNG industry. The country’s Congo LNG project reached a new stage in February 2026 with the start of commercial production from its second phase. The addition of the Nguya FLNG unit brought total liquefaction capacity to 3 million tons per year, expanding Congo’s ability to monetize its offshore gas resources.

The program will then broaden from individual projects to the continent-wide investment outlook with the launch of The State of African Energy 2027. AEC Senior Vice President Verner Ayukegba and S&P Global Energy Executive Director Max Pietzsch will present the outlook, covering upstream oil and gas, LNG, downstream markets, power, renewables and critical minerals against changing demand, trade flows and energy security requirements.

Project decision-making will remain under examination as S&P Global Energy Technical Research Analyst Tasnika Goorhoo presents “From Limited Data to Better Decisions: How Benchmarking Strengthens Upstream Project Outcomes.” The session will examine how comparative project data can help operators assess performance, costs and development outcomes.

NOV Vice President Mats Anderson will address offshore optimization through high-speed downhole connectivity and real-time distributed measurements, examining how faster access to downhole information can improve operational visibility and decision-making.

Infrastructure will also feature prominently, with Kenyon International West Africa CEO Victor Ekpenyong examining asset integrity and pipeline infrastructure through the company’s CACTUS and FlexSteel technologies. Honeywell Technologies Africa will close the technology-focused sessions with its end-to-end LNG offering, while SLB, InSwitch, the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone and PETROSEN will bring additional perspectives on technology, digitalization and energy services.

“AEW 2026 reflects the practical challenges facing Africa’s energy industry as projects move from resource potential toward development and production,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “From subsurface interpretation and deepwater exploration to LNG development, project benchmarking, digitalization and infrastructure, these technical sessions highlight the expertise and technologies needed to develop Africa’s resources efficiently and create lasting value across the energy value chain.”

AEW 2026 takes place from October 12–16 in Cape Town, bringing together governments, investors, operators and technology providers to discuss investment, project development and the future of Africa’s energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

 




 

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Rising power costs put energy strategy at the centre of industrial competitiveness

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South Africa

C&I Energy + Storage Summit Johannesburg to focus on the procurement, cost and investment decisions facing South Africa’s large energy users

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 22, 2026/APO Group/ –The cost of electricity is no longer only an energy issue for South African businesses. It is increasingly a question of competitiveness, investment and long-term operational resilience.

Recent figures show the pressure on large power users. Business Day reported on 7 September that South Africa’s mining and industrial majors paid Eskom R115 billion for electricity in the 2025/26 financial year. According to Eskom’s annual report, industrial electricity demand fell by more than 22% over the same period as high power costs weighed on energy-intensive operations.

 




  

At the same time, major businesses are moving to alternative supply. Reuters reported on 26 August that South African mining companies are accelerating investment in renewable energy to cut costs, diversify supply and meet decarbonisation targets.

For commercial and industrial energy users, the question is no longer simply how to secure power. It is how to buy it, what to invest in, and which energy strategy makes the strongest commercial sense.

Energy procurement is becoming more complex

Businesses are now weighing several procurement options at once. Should they sign a long-term PPA? Buy through an electricity trader? Wheel renewable power across the grid? Invest in behind-the-meter generation? Add battery storage? Each option carries different implications for cost, risk, contracting and long-term flexibility.

These decisions will take centre stage at the C&I Energy + Storage Summit Johannesburg, taking place on 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton. The programme is built around the practical challenges facing energy buyers today, with a focus on real projects, commercial models and implementation rather than technology in isolation.

A programme built around the buyer’s decisions

The summit closes with the C&I Decision Clinic: Ask the Experts, a masterclass where attendees submit real project challenges in advance and receive practical, anonymised responses from experts. Questions on the table include whether to build onsite PV or sign a wheeled PPA, how much battery storage makes commercial sense, what a bankable project preparation pack should contain, and what financiers require before term sheet stage.

It follows The C&I Energy Playbook: Five decisions business leaders need to make now, a closing panel in which the moderators of key summit sessions distil the programme into the priorities C&I businesses should act on.

Other sessions address the questions buyers are asking now:

  • Energy storage beyond backup power: unlocking commercial value examines peak shaving, demand charge management, energy arbitrage and hybrid PV-plus-storage business models, along with the operational realities of dispatch, degradation and warranties.
  • Making public-private engagement work for you unpacks how wheeling agreements are structured in practice, where interface risks arise, and how businesses can engage utilities and municipalities early.
  • Reducing energy costs without building new generation is a case-study-led workshop on energy efficiency, operational optimisation, demand response and digital energy management.
  • Projects Spotlight gives energy users the floor to share the strategies they have implemented, the lessons learned and the outcomes achieved.

The programme opens with the keynote panel Threats and opportunities in South Africa’s industrial future, bringing together policymakers, industrial leaders, financiers, and energy and water experts.

Bringing energy buyers into the conversation

The summit’s Hosted Buyer Programme is designed for qualified end-user energy buyers across sectors including mining, manufacturing, property, agriculture and other energy-intensive industries. Hosted buyers take part in the full programme and receive curated engagement with solution providers across energy procurement, storage deployment and project development.

Four events, one venue

The summit is co-located with the EIUG Conference, Water Security Africa and the Data Centre Summit, bringing the energy, water and digital infrastructure communities together in Sandton. It is brought to you by Enlit Africa, with ESI Africa as host media, and is accredited by the SAIEE.

Qualified commercial and industrial energy users can apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme at https://apo-opa.co/4yPnXOg, and bring their project questions to the Decision Clinic.

Full programme: https://apo-opa.co/4xK2ANv

 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Beyond the carbon credit: Who sets the terms for Africa’s carbon markets?

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From project ownership and verification to pricing and benefit-sharing, CMAS 2026 will bring African market leaders and global decision-makers together to examine who creates and captures value

KIGALI, Rwanda, September 22, 2026/APO Group/ –A carbon credit may be traded as a single unit, but its value is shaped long before it reaches a buyer. Decisions about project ownership, finance, data, verification and benefit-sharing determine who participates, who carries the risk and who ultimately benefits. As new regulations and international partnerships expand market access, these questions are becoming increasingly important across Africa.

 




 
 

They will be central to the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) 2026, taking place from 13 to 15 October at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda. The summit will convene African governments, project developers, investors, buyers and technical experts involved in decisions across the carbon-market value chain.

Countries are approaching these decisions from different regulatory, economic and environmental positions. While recent developments in East Africa demonstrate growing market activity, questions concerning international requirements, technical capacity, investment and benefit-sharing are relevant across Africa.

Ousmane Fall SARR, Coordinator of the West African Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance, says:

“African countries are developing carbon markets from different starting points. Stronger African expertise and regional cooperation will be important if the continent is to contribute to the standards and market practices that determine how its projects compete, attract investment and create value.”

Against this continental backdrop, East Africa provides a timely example of how the market is developing. In January 2026, Rwanda and Singapore invited applications for carbon-credit projects under their bilateral Implementation Agreement, aligned with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Credits from authorised projects may be used by eligible Singapore-based carbon tax-liable companies to offset up to 5% of their taxable emissions, subject to both governments’ requirements.

African countries are developing carbon markets from different starting points

Across the continent, carbon market frameworks are rapidly taking shape. Kenya and Uganda are strengthening regulatory oversight, regional partnerships are helping governments build market capacity and infrastructure, and South Africa is advancing reforms to modernise its carbon-credit ecosystem and attract investment. Together, these developments are bringing greater focus to questions of authorisation, project ownership, verification, pricing and access to international buyers, while also raising expectations that carbon finance should deliver sustainable economic and development value beyond the credit itself.

Emmanuelle Nicholls, Portfolio Director for CMAS, says:

“A carbon credit may be the final product, but behind it are decisions about ownership, data, risk, pricing and who ultimately benefits. The conversations in Kigali will examine what credible participation looks like across the full carbon-market value chain.”

These decisions have consequences beyond individual transactions. Carbon finance is increasingly connected to conservation, agriculture, soil restoration, food security, clean energy and waste management. Its success will therefore also be judged by whether projects produce credible environmental outcomes and lasting benefits for African economies and communities.

A practical example comes from the Chinko Conservation Area in the Central African Republic, where revenue from the Chinko Carbon Project is channelled through a community fund that supports locally selected initiatives, including the expansion of a medical centre in Agoumar. At CMAS 2026, African Parks and Welthungerhilfe, both Bronze Sponsors, will share perspectives on how carbon finance can support conservation, climate resilience, food systems and community development, while highlighting broader questions around project governance, impact and the distribution of value.

From project-level impact to market-wide structures, these questions will underpin discussions at CMAS 2026. The programme will address government authorisation, buyer requirements, pricing and offtake, investment risk, early-stage finance, registries and African measurement, reporting and verification capacity. It will connect the question of who sets the terms with the practical requirements for building credible, investment-ready projects and transactions.

CMAS 2026 is hosted by the Ministry of Environment of Rwanda, with UNDP and the African Development Bank as host organisations, the Development Bank of Southern Africa as host partner and AUDA-NEPAD as strategic institutional partner.

Taking place ahead of COP31, CMAS will focus attention on the decisions behind every carbon credit and what they mean for African governments, projects, investors and communities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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