Canon showcased its very latest innovations in imaging technology designed to empower broadcasters and content creators to push creative boundaries and deliver exceptional visual experiences

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 2, 2024/APO Group/ — 

As part of our ‘Closer to Our Customers’ strategy, we showcased our latest advancements including the EOS R1, EOS R5 Mark II, EOS C400 & EOSC80 to 25 key customers from across Africa; We aimed to equip our customers with firsthand experience of the diverse products, including Canon’s Multicam Solutions (www.Canon-CNA.com), empowering them to tailor strategies, enhance workflows, and improve efficiency.

Canon Central & North Africa returned to the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) took place at the RAI Amsterdam, 13 – 16 September 2024. At this year’s show, Canon showcased its very latest innovations in imaging technology designed to empower broadcasters and content creators to push creative boundaries and deliver exceptional visual experiences.

Following a summer of momentous launches including the Canon EOS R1, EOS R5 Mark II, and the EOS C400, and with more advancements in the pipeline, the convention offered attendees a first look at the latest products. From professional cinema and PTZ cameras to an extended VR range, the entire breadth of the Canon portfolio was showcased at IBC to explore and experience.

Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director at Canon Central & North Africa, said: Canon has had a groundbreaking year, setting a new standard for professional of all levels. As part of our ‘Closer to Our Customers’ strategy, we’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to showcase our latest advancements, including the EOS R1, EOS R5 Mark II, and EOS C400, to 25 key customers from various parts of Africa. From Kenya and Nigeria to Egypt, Morocco, Central African region and beyond, we welcomed customers representing diverse industries, including broadcast, cinema, rental houses, education, and government institutions.

Our goal was to equip our African customers with firsthand experience of our products and solutions, enabling them to tailor their strategies to meet the unique needs of the African market. By highlighting the breadth of our portfolio and the cutting-edge capabilities of our equipment, we aim to empower our customers to drive their businesses forward. Additionally, we also highlighted Canon’s Multicam Solutions, which enhance workflows by offering operational, management, and cost efficiencies, allowing users to optimize processes and improve overall efficiency.

Whether it’s virtual production, remote workflows, or other emerging trends, we remain dedicated to ensuring everyone, from individual creators to those part of large-scale productions, benefit from our advancements.

This year, we were particularly honoured to welcome the talented Nigerian cinematographer and filmmaker, Nora Awolowo, who experienced her first visit to IBC. As one of the few individuals to exclusively experience the EOS C80 prior to the event, Nora’s participation underscores our commitment to nurturing and empowering creative professionals from Africa. By providing opportunities for direct engagement with industry experts and networking with peers, we aim to foster a vibrant and innovative community within the region.”

Building on last year’s success, the stand was made up of multiple zones giving visitors the chance to get hands-on with a host of Canon products. This included a Multi-Cam zone, RF System zone, Virtual Production Workflow space and PTZ Wall. Canon’s team of experts were on hand to guide users through the experience, answer questions and showcase the full capability of the products on display. 

Empowering broadcasters to embrace the future of visual storytelling

By providing opportunities for direct engagement with industry experts and networking with peers, we aim to foster a vibrant and innovative community within the region

Canon focused on key areas where its technology is helping drive the industry forward, including the latest large format cameras and lenses built to capture breathtaking visuals with incredible detail and cinematic depth of field.

The EOS C400 launched earlier this year is the first high-end RF mount Cinema EOS camera, ushering in a groundbreaking new era. The EOS C400 enables operators to access the full suite of features typically associated with larger scale production cameras without the burden of size, weight or attaching additional modules.

The PTZ area included an extensive list of products that showcased the powerful image quality and operability of the full range of indoor and outdoor PTZ products and applications from Canon. The CR-N100, CR-N300, CR-N500 and CR-X300, controllers, as well as Canon Auto Loop and Auto Tracking, will all be exhibited for visitors.

Mirrorless cameras setting new standards for performance and creativity

Canon’s flag bearers for the EOS R System – the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II – were showcased giving attendees the chance to try out features such as the new ‘Accelerated Capture’ imaging platform and new Dual Pixel Intelligent AF.

EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II offer video in 12-bit RAW recording internally to the memory card as well as using Cinema EOS Movie Recording formats alongside Canon Log 2 and 3 with proxy video recording that is now fully supported between two cards. This takes professional video production to new heights, delivering outstanding quality and creative flexibility no matter the scenario.

Virtual production workflows

The versatile Flex Zoom lens lineup including the CN-E20-50mm T2.4 L F / FP and CN-E14-35mm T1.7 L S / SP that are future-proofed for 8K productions as well as providing greater flexibility for 4K due to the additional detail and high resolution they provide. For VR, the new RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM DUAL FISHEYE lens makes it easier than ever to create 3D VR footage. The compact lens boasts a wide 144-degree field of view and large depth of field, simplifying set-up and keeping the subject in focus. Also on display were the RF 5.2mm F2.8L DUAL FISHEYE and RF-S 7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lenses, further showcasing the possibilities for immersive content creation.

Cover more from studios to stadiums with expanded range of lenses

Beyond VR, over the last few months, Canon has been expanding its lens offering. The Lens Showcase Zone demonstrates Canon’s commitment to innovation and empowering users to capture stunning footage whether that’s in the great outdoors or in studio. On display were familiar lenses alongside new releases such as the CJ27ex7.3B IASE T lens which features the widest coverage and telephoto reach currently on the market in its category, along with new hybrid products such as the RF 24-105mm F2.8L IS USM Z.

For Cine lenses, the recently unveiled CN7x17 KAS T cine servo lens were on display, showcasing an upgraded drive unit that revolutionises the future of Canon’s lens offering.

For more information about IBC, visit: https://apo-opa.co/3TSO5pk

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

The partnership is a significant milestone in enhancing the banking experience for Orabank Group customers and enabling the bank’s digital transformation with innovative solutions

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 1, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Network International (Network) (www.Network.global), a leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa, has extended its strategic partnership with Orabank Group, the largest banking group in Francophone Africa, to transform the bank’s prepaid and agent banking solutions.

We look forward to capturing the opportunities that lie ahead and achieving new heights of success by working together

The partnership is a significant milestone in enhancing the banking experience for Orabank Group customers and enabling the bank’s digital transformation with innovative solutions. It will leverage Network’s expertise in enhancing Orabank’s competitiveness in the Francophone markets. It also strengthens Network’s existing partnership with Orabank Group by introducing innovative payment technology and solutions to enhance consumer trust and convenience. 

Ferdinand Ngon Kemoum, Group CEO, Orabank Group, said: “We are thrilled to enter a new phase of growth through the strategic partnership with Network International. Using Network’s expertise, we are shaping the future of the digital payment market in Francophone Africa with new products and services that will facilitate our digital payment transformation. This offers an elevated experience for our customers and emphasises our pivotal role in the financial market.”

Dr. Reda Helal, Group Managing Director – Processing, Africa and Co-Head Group Processing, Network International, said: “We are excited to extend our strategic partnership with Orabank Group to transform digital payments for their customers in the prepaid and agent banking space. Implementing Network’s innovative solutions underlines the bank’s impact in the Francophone market by providing superior payment experiences. We look forward to capturing the opportunities that lie ahead and achieving new heights of success by working together.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Network International.

The AOW partnership supports ExxonMobil’s role as one of the engines of the African upstream

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 1, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Leading oil-and-gas multinational ExxonMobil is progressing several energy initiatives on the African continent, consolidating its status as one of the drivers of the industry on the continent.

Recent developments herald further expansions of the robust ExxonMobil upstream pipeline to strengthen energy security through reliable, affordable energy supply while achieving industry-leading emissions intensity.

The latest expression of this saw ExxonMobil upstream president Liam Mallon meeting (http://apo-opa.co/3zRRkXk) with Mozambican president Nyusi last month to confirm ExxonMobil’s commitment to the $24 billion Rovuma LNG project. Mallon confirmed front-end engineering design (FEED) for the project and laid out a clear path to a final investment decision by 2026.

Also in the Southern Africa region, Exxon Mobil has emerged as an exploration leader in the Namibe basin, offshore Angola, where a wildcat well has been spud and results are keenly anticipated by the entire industry.

The basin extends from Angolan waters into northern Namibia, and favourable, commercially viable results could shape energy development in the region for decades to come.

ExxonMobil is pleased to be a platinum sponsor for AOW as they commemorate 30 years of convening the energy industry for fruitful engagements and sharing of best practices

In Nigeria, ExxonMobil is poised to shift focus to its deepwater investments, as the sale of its shallow-water JV asset reaches finality (http://apo-opa.co/3XQFkgO).

Nigeria’s rich reserves were recently estimated at 37.5 billion barrels (http://apo-opa.co/3XQ5bpn) by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). With offshore oil reserves currently responsible for 32% of Nigeria’s production, ExxonMobil – with its core deepwater engineering strengths – is perfectly positioned to drive the next development phase for  Africa’s largest (http://apo-opa.co/3XJx3LL) oil reserves.

ExxonMobil is looking to expand this broad engagement in the African upstream at the forthcoming AOW: Investing In African Energy event, where the company is a platinum sponsor.  

“ExxonMobil is pleased to be a platinum sponsor for AOW as they commemorate 30 years of convening the energy industry for fruitful engagements and sharing of best practices,” said Richard Barke, ExxonMobil VP South Atlantic Exploration.”

The AOW partnership supports ExxonMobil’s role as one of the engines of the African upstream. AOW brings together governments, regulators, global operators, power producers, investors and service providers for engagements to develop policy, share discoveries, secure investment, and shape Africa’s energy future.

Through strategic partnerships such as these, as well as its deepwater expertise, and cutting-edge exploration in frontier regions, ExxonMobil has established itself as one of the most critically relevant energy businesses in the global sector.

As part of the AOW partnership, Richard Barke, ExxonMobil’s Vice President of Exploration for Africa, will deliver a keynote address at the event, outlining the company’s strategic vision for the region.

“Africa’s energy landscape presents a compelling blend of opportunity and potential,” said Barke. “We see significant alignment between the continent’s resources and the world’s evolving energy demands.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AOW: Investing in African Energy.