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All-New Citroën C3 Aircross: The Most Affordable and Comfortable Multi-Energies Compact SUV, Available With 7 Seats

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Citroën

It is the first B-SUV on the European market to be offered at a price of less than €30,000 in its 100% electric version, and less than €20,000 in its PureTech turbo 100 MT6 internal combustion version

POISSY, France, July 8, 2024/APO Group/ — 

A brand-new model in the compact SUV segment: this stylish, smart, functional and affordable proposition will appeal to families and everyone with an active lifestyle; The C3 Aircross has been completely reinvented: new technical platform, robust and assertive SUV style, plus Citroën’s (www.Citroen.com) new styling language; Enhanced onboard comfort; Citroën Advanced Comfort suspension, C-Zen Lounge architecture with Head-Up Display incorporating latest generation infotainment and connectivity systems, plus everything else you expect from this category; Longer body; at 4.39m, it offers both driving comfort and a generously proportioned passenger space. Already a benchmark for space in row 2 in its 5-seat version, C3 Aircross now offers up to 7 seats – a first in this segment!; A vehicle to suit every need: the all-new C3 Aircross offers a practical hybrid 136 version for the first time, alongside a virtuous all-electric version (on the 5-seater versions) and an accessible petrol version; Available in France from 19 400€ in Petrol, 25 500€ in Hybrid and 27 400€ in Electric, orders of All-new C3 Aircross are opening progressively on different European markets.

In a radical shift to the way it approaches the compact SUV market, Citroën has completely reinvented the C3 Aircross. In its European variant, this brand-new model shares the Smart Car platform with the recent C3, enabling it to be positioned at a very attractive price; other common features include the new brand identity and the same formal language, both inside and out. A genuine SUV, it offers protection, robustness, easy access and a feeling of safety, along with assertive, muscular and modern styling. The all-new C3’s stature and dimensions have changed along with its new positioning. At 4.39 metres in length, the 5-seater version offers the best interior space in its segment in row 2. Alongside it, Citroën is also offering a brand new 7- seater, a first for the segment: designed with the same proportions, it offers unrivalled flexibility of use while remaining compact and manoeuvrable.

Spacious and well-equipped, the all-new C3 Aircross offers easy and comfortable daily driving, both in town and on the road. Citroën is always attentive to customer expectations in terms of comfort, roominess and practicality. So the all-new C3 Aircross features the C-Zen-Lounge® concept with Head-Up Display and a reduced-size steering wheel, and new Citroën Advanced Comfort® seats redesigned for optimum support. Ride comfort is enhanced thanks to the adoption of the Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspension with dual progressive hydraulic bump stops – for the first time and on all versions. And for greater peace of mind, the C3 Aircross offers all the driving assistance technologies you would expect in this segment, along with a latest-generation infotainment system incorporating a 10.25-inch touch screen.

Alongside a petrol engine, the all-new C3 Aircross will be electrified in two ways: a 136 bhp Hybrid 48V powertrain, and a full electric version. With a range of more than 300 km (certification pending), the electric version makes everyday life much easier: it can recharge from 20% to 80% in just 26 minutes, and uses the ë-ROUTES application – a journey planner that adapts to changes on the road in real time. A version with a range of over 400km will be available in 2025.

After reinventing the C3, Citroën is back with the all-new C3 Aircross: a family SUV concept that is perfect for active people looking for modularity and robustness. It will be produced in Europe at the Trnava plant. Now available to order, C3 Aircross makes electric mobility affordable from €27 400, and gives access to electrification from €25 500 with the Hybrid 136 version. In traditional petrol, it is available from 19 400€.

1- A FAMILY SUV WITH POWERFUL & ROBUST DESIGN

At 4.39m long, the all-new C3 Aircross combines new proportions with a new attitude. Its exterior design expresses SUV-style strength and power. The new attitude is more assertive, more muscular and more robust – with more upright styling and sharper angles. The all-new C3 Aircross applies Citroën’s new formal language to the SUV.

“From the beginning of the project, we wanted to reinforce the C3 Aircross’s position in the world of SUVs. We opted for a robust and assertive design, with styling that adds muscle and strength. With over 20 cm of ground clearance, a raised driving position and subtle plays of light in its design, the all-new C3 Aircross takes the next step and becomes a real SUV.” Boris Reinmoller, C3 Aircross design project manager.

Reinterpreting Citroën’s new visual identity

With an assertive, graphic design underpinned by wide fascias, the all-new C3 Aircross is all SUV. The front fascias feature vertical colour-clips that customers can change at will. The front-end design incorporates the new logo unveiled on the Oli concept car in 2021, and recently adopted by the ë-C3 and C3 saloons. The headlamp design references the new three-point light signature inaugurated on the Oli. The SUV feel comes through loud and clear on the high, horizontal bonnet and the front’s vertical lines. With a width of 1.79 metres, the design brings muscle and strength to the front wings, which cover the large 690 mm wheels. The wheel arch guards are inspired by the square-round design concept introduced on the ë-C3 and C3 saloons. Subtle edge lines liven up the sides of the car.

Side on, those SUV genes translate into perfect balance. A straight roof and height of 1.66 m provide generous onboard space for all passengers. Over 200 mm of ground clearance offer greater protection and easy access, along with a higher and safer driving position. The long rear window – with no deflector – supplies plenty of light on board, and the rear fascia features a customisable colour-clip, echoing the one on the bumper. The rear wing reproducess the muscular feel of the front, and introduces the signature rear lights. The lights continue the styling theme inaugurated on the Oli concept and the ë-C3 and C3 saloons, while the rear quarter panel reinforces the C3 Aircross’s robust appearance. The biton finish – available as standard on the Max level in white or black – makes customisation easy; the continuity between the third side window and the tailgate reinforces the independence of the roof. Incorporating the same black band and new logo as the front of the car, the wide tailgate features a cutaway design with a low load sill, for easy access to the boot.

“The all-new C3 Aircross is more mature and its proportions are those of a true SUV, with a very horizontal bonnet and a very pronounced vertical front end. The proportions are balanced, with perfect control of the overhangs and a silhouette that demonstrates its strength. We have played with rich sections and – above all – we have avoided designing a soulless, enhanced estate car. The design seems to have been executed with a single stroke, and is very consistent,” said Boris Reinmoller.

2- A SPACIOUS COMPACT SUV THAT CAN SEAT UP TO 7

New dimensions for more space and practicality

Just 4.39 m long, the C3 Aircross handles like a dream. The wheelbase of 2.67 m offers maximum space on board: the 5-seater version delivers record space in row 2 and a 460-litre boot. For customers looking for even greater versatility, the C3 Aircross is also available in a super functional 7-seater version.

The all-new C3 Aircross is available in 5 and 7 seat versions, with identical body shapes and exterior dimensions, allowing customers to choose the version that matches their needs and desires. The 2.67 m wheelbase – the most generous in the category – allows for unprecedented rear door length, providing excellent access to row 2 for the 5-seater version and row 3 for the 7-seater version.

“The new Citroën C3 Aircross was designed to be compatible with seven people on board. And when you design a silhouette that’s spacious enough for seven, you inevitably propel the 5-seater version to the top of the category in terms of row 2 space and boot volume”.

Thierry Blanchard, C3 Aircross Product Project Manager.

The 7-seater version: clever and versatile

Citroën is offering an unprecedented 7-seater version of the all-new C3 Aircross. The design of the rear quarter panel creates a dynamic, vertical stern, providing ample space for the third-row passengers. A large rear door and the easy-tilt seat backs in row 2 (40/60) facilitate access to this third row, which features two comfortable and retractable extra seats. Available whenever necessary, they consist of a seat and two backrests that can be folded 50/50, providing a flat load surface when not deployed.

In its 7-seat version, the C3 Aircross offers the same knee-to-knee length in row 2 as the C3 saloon, elbow width that is 25 mm wider than the category average, and generous headroom. The third-row space is equipped to the same standard as the other seats, with headrests, armrests, cupholders, a USB socket, a footwell and air conditioning. The new 7-seat version of the C3 Aircross perfectly balances a compact exterior with interior space. With 93% of European B-SUV owners driving less than 80 km a day, the 7-seater version’s two rear seats are a perfect solution. With all seats deployed, the boot volume is 40 litres, and 330 litres in the 5-seat configuration.

The 5-seater version: segment-leading interior space

The 5-seater version of the C3 Aircross has a 40/60 bench seat that is 65 mm further back than on the 7-seater version. The result is very generous space in row 2, with the best knee room in the category (+80 mm compared with the segment average). The three occupants of the bench seat also enjoy the best elbow room on the market (+25 mm compared with the segment average). The bench’s 65 mm recline doesn’t detract from the 460 litres of boot space, one of the best in the segment.

Easy to access – with a low, square threshold – the boot also has a two-position floor, providing a completely flat load surface when the backrests of the 40/60 rear seat are folded. In this configuration, it offers an impressive 1600 litres of volume. With no shortage of tricks up its sleeve, the C3 Aircross has the flexibility to make daily life easier for all the family. Practical, versatile and reassuring, it remains compact enough to make city driving stress free.

3- AN AFFORDABLE MULTI-ENERGY RANGE

In line with Citroën’s focus on accessible, people-centric solutions, its new compact SUV offers a range of different energies at an ultra-competitive price. The all-new C3 Aircross is based on the Smart Car platform, designed to accommodate a range of internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicles. This new vehicle demonstrates Citroën’s commitment to integrating the challenges of the energy transition into all its product developments. Alongside a traditional internal combustion engine, the C3 Aircross offers a hybrid range for the first time: facilitating access to electrification, its versatility is perfectly suited to this body type. And to take things even further, the all-new C3 Aircross will be available for the first time as a 100% electric vehicle.

The hybrid: a petrol engine with access to electrification

The all-new C3 Aircross showcases a new powertrain, with its Hybrid 136 version equipped with an e-DCT automatic gearbox. The 48V hybrid uses the new-generation 1.2 PureTech engine developed specifically for hybrid applications, featuring 40% all-new components. With a displacement of 1,199 cm3, this 3-cylinder engine develops 100 kW/136 bhp. It has a variable geometry turbocharger and a timing chain that contributes to its robustness.

The Miller-cycle engine is combined with an e-CDT electrified dual-clutch automatic transmission, incorporating a 21 kW/28 bhp electric motor powered by a 48 V lithium-ion battery housed under the floor.

The powertrain is easy to use and requires no recharging. Ideal for families, it reduces both fuel consumption and emissions, making it good for the wallet and the planet too. The e-motor (permanent magnet synchronous machine) assists the internal combustion engine to reduce fuel consumption in a transparent way, allowing 100% electric driving for almost 50% of urban use and recharging the battery during deceleration. This new transmission is produced in France and offers the best optimisation in terms of compaction and cost. As a result, the C02 emissions of the hybrid version have been reduced to just 124g CO2/km (waiting for certification). This new driving experience will be available to the widest possible audience in both the 5- and 7-seat versions.

Alongside this electrified powertrain, Citroën is deploying the C3 Aircross with a 75 kW/100 bhp turbo petrol powertrain. This 3-cylinder PureTech Turbo 100 MT6 engine is coupled with a six-speed manual transmission, and complies with Euro7 standards. This version will be available at the most competitive price on the market.

Citroën’s first all-electric compact SUV

For the first time in the family B-SUV segment, Citroën is offering an electric version of its 5-seater C3 Aircross. Perfectly suited to the driving habits of customers in this segment, the electric version is powered by an 83 kW/113 bhp engine combined with a 44 kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery. This technology offers the perfect compromise between the performance required (range of more than 300km – approval pending) and a highly affordable price. Its engine and fully automatic transmission offer linear acceleration with immediately available torque, and a top speed of 145 km/h. The 100% electric version of the C3 Aircross offers sufficient performance to slot into everyday traffic with ease.

The all-electric C3 Aircross makes life easier for its users, particularly when it comes to recharging. The Mode 3 cable – supplied as standard – enables charging both at home and in public places:

With over 20 cm of ground clearance, a raised driving position and subtle plays of light in its design, the all-new C3 Aircross takes the next step and becomes a real SUV.

  • Standard AC charging from 20% to 80% of the battery takes around 4 hours 10 minutes using 7 kW of power.
  • Standard AC charging from 20% to 80% of the battery takes around 2 hours 50 minutes using 11 kW of power.

Fast charging is also available with DC 100 kW chargers, taking just 26 minutes to go from 20% to 80% charge. A version equipped with a different battery will be offered in 2025, extending the range to over 400km.

The all-electric C3 Aircross fully addresses the concerns of motorists still worried about the switch to all-electricity. The new e-ROUTES application – developed for Citroën electric vehicles – makes it easy to plan your journeys, monitor battery charge levels in real time, and enjoy a complete navigation experience. The app helps to reduce journey times, and pinpoints the best recharging stops. Constantly connected to the vehicle’s data (in particular the charge level of the batteries), the traffic situation and the status of the recharging points along the selected route, it ensures the most efficient route management

4- COMFORT AND PEACE OF MIND

Full of space and light, the C3 Aircross offers all the features of a living room on wheels. Its raised driving position and high ground clearance make it easier to get in and out, while providing a clearer view of the road ahead. The feeling of comfort is paramount, delivered by the exclusive Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspension, the C-Zen Lounge concept – which combines a reassuring dashboard with the new head-up vision system – and Citroën Advanced Comfort® seats.

Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspension and seats

The all-new C3 Aircross has been designed to provide the best compromise between comfort and enjoyment, whether one or 7 people are on board. To achieve that result, Citroën’s exclusive Advanced Comfort® suspension is standard on all versions. This innovative, patented design guarantees a unique feeling of comfort for the vehicle’s occupants, whatever the road conditions.

Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspension rethinks the two basic functions of a suspension system: ensuring optimum contact between the wheels and the road surface, and defining a perfect level of comfort for the passengers. A conventional suspension – now abandoned by Citroën – uses a spring and hydraulic damper to manage these two functions. The spring absorbs bumps in the road, while the shock absorber supports the spring in its relaxation phase after an impact: a stop at the top of the shock absorber absorbs the compression of the spring over its last few centimetres. This stop protects the vehicle’s mechanical components but does not totally dissipate the energy, adversely affecting passenger comfort.

Citroën’s engineers have completely rethought this architecture, creating a patented system of progressive hydraulic bumpers. These act like a second smaller shock absorber, housed at the ends of the main shock absorber. There are two progressive stops per shock absorber, one for compression and the other for rebound. This suspension construction ensures greater suppleness and comfort on minor irregularities, without compromising the damping required to hold the body in place when driving on a rough road. In the latter case, the system gradually slows down the movement at the end of the travel. Unlike a mechanical stop in a conventional shock absorber – which absorbs energy and reduces comfort by releasing some of it in the form of a shock – the progressive hydraulic stop absorbs and dissipates this energy. The “magic carpet” effect so important to Citroën is felt clearly, enhancing the driving experience on board the C3 Aircross.

The all-new C3 Aircross also features new Advanced Comfort® seats. Equipped with a new seat surface that includes an extra 10 to 15 mm of foam, they feature redesigned lateral support to ensure comfort whatever the distance.

C-Zen Lounge: a new architecture for increased peace of mind.

The C3 Aircross inherits the work carried out on the new ë-C3 and C3 saloons. The Citroën C-Zen Lounge’s modern, spacious and well-equipped cabin is here taken to its logical conclusion, with new materials and colours.

The horizontal dashboard – complete with characteristic Citroën vertical air vents – is divided into two levels: technical elements on top and comfort at the bottom. Known as the Sofa Design, this area is covered in a special fabric and embellished at both ends with new zones of warm light, adding to the feeling of well-being. In the upper section, the absence of a handset clears the view, for driving comfort and enhanced safety. Essential driving information is cleverly projected onto a head-up display. The small multifunction steering wheel, adjustable for height and angle, is easy to handle. The information display at the junction between the dashboard and the bottom of the windscreen is a first for a family SUV. This innovative feature eliminates the need for a dual display, giving the driver all the information they need without taking their eyes off the road.

5- A CONNECTED, WELL-EQUIPPED FAMILY SUV

Whatever energy source you choose, the C3 Aircross breaks new ground with its combination of design, space, on-board comfort and equipment – all at an ultra-competitive price.

A connected SUV.

The all-new C3 Aircross offers infotainment system and all the connectivity you expect from this type of vehicle.

The You version of the all-new C3 Aircross features the Smartphone Station, which includes an integrated smartphone holder. The driver can then automatically launch the dedicated application using NFC wireless technology. Thanks to the Smartphone Station, drivers can access shortcuts to services on their smartphone, controlled using voice recognition. They can also access the radio, playlists and navigation. The steering wheel controls on the C3 Aircross enable drivers to keep their hands on the wheel, and the Home button makes it easy to return to the application’s home page.

The Max versions of the C3 Aircross feature a 10.25-inch colour infotainment screen, oriented slightly towards the driver. It uses a widget architecture inspired by smartphones. Virtual shortcuts provide access to the main navigation, telephone, radio, application and media functions. A wireless WiFi function enables smartphone mirroring and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On-board comfort is also enhanced by the presence of two USB-C sockets at the front and two more in row 2. A 15W charging mat is integrated into a dedicated storage space in the centre console.

Making everyday life easier and safer

The driving aid technology does not only improve the comfort and safety of the driver. Everybody onboard gets the benefits, along with pedestrians too.

Active Safety Brake: This is an emergency braking system that helps reduce injuries to passengers, pedestrians and cyclists. It operates day and night, from a speed of 5 km/h up to the C3 Aircross’s top speed of 135 km/h.

Active Lane Keeping Assist: this lane-keeping assistance system helps the driver to maintain the correct distance from the lane markings. It is active from 60 km/h. When the car starts to drift out of its lane, this mode automatically takes corrective action.

Driver Alert: this system detects oscillations on the C3 Aircross, anticipating drowsiness on the part of the driver. Once detected, it emits a visual and audible warning. If the situation persists, the system emits a longer audible warning and maintains the visual warning for 10 seconds.

Speed sign recognition: this speed limit information system reads the signs and displays the speed in the driver’s field of vision, on the HUD display at the base of the windscreen. The driver is thus informed if a new speed limit is detected, or if he or she is exceeding the speed limit. This intelligent system also uses the speed limit data contained in the navigation system. The audible warnings can be activated or deactivated via the dashboard.

High beam assistance: with Intelligent Headlights, the windscreen camera switches the headlights to low beam when it detects an oncoming vehicle. As soon as the vehicle has passed, the high beam is restored.

Front and rear parking sensors: the front and rear park-assist sensors collect data during manoeuvres and warn the driver of approaching obstacles, using an audible warning and visual indications. The rear parking sensors are active as soon as reverse gear is engaged.

Blind spot detection: it uses an illuminated pictogram in the rear-view mirrors to indicate the presence of a vehicle in the blind spot. The system works on the same principle as parking sensors genuinely adds to safety. It is active from 30 km/h.

Reversing camera: when reverse gear is engaged, the camera on the base of the tailgate supplies a view to the rear of the vehicle on the main screen. This view features grids of different colours to help the driver identify the distance between obstacles and the vehicle, and warn of possible collisions.

All-Electric for under €30,000, petrol for under €20,000

Following the launch of the ë-C3 and C3, Citroën is continuing its mission to make electric mobility accessible to as many people as possible. Thanks to the European version of the new international “Smart Car” platform – designed from the outset to accommodate 100% electric, internal combustion and hybrid engines – and its extreme modularity, the dimensions of the C3 Aircross have been revised upwards for greater habitability and functionality, with no impact on its selling price. It is the first B-SUV on the European market to be offered at a price of less than €30,000 in its 100% electric version, and less than €20,000 in its PureTech turbo 100 MT6 internal combustion version.

Range: tailor-made for everyone

The all-new C3 Aircross range is embodied in two silhouettes that are identical in their design and dimensions: a 5-seater available in petrol, hybrid, and electric, and a 7-seater available in petrol and hybrid. The C3 Aircross benefits from a palette of six strong shades: Black Perla Nera, Mercury Grey, Elixir Red, Monte Carlo Blue, Polar White and Montana Green, paired with the two available roof colours – white and black. It can be personalised using colour clips in three different colours, each coordinated with the body colour. Citroën will offer additional colour clips as accessories, in the form of kits of 4 pieces, for more extensive customisation.

The streamlining of the all-new C3 Aircross range goes hand in hand with rich equipment at the first trim level, You. This comes standard with Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspension, 6 airbags, manual air conditioning, Smartphone station, active safety braking, active lane departure warning system, driver attention alert, cruise control with speed limiter, recognition of speed limit signs, rear parking sensors, automatic lighting, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, electric front windows, 40/60 folding rear seat, LED headlights and daytime running lights, and 16” wheels.

The second level, MAX, additionally offers 17’’ Aragonite Diamond Cut alloy wheels, 3D LED rear lights, a white or black tinted roof depending on the body colour, 3D navigation, wireless smartphone charging, exterior mirrors with blind-spot detection, front parking sensors, electrochrome interior mirror, and access to the 7-seater version with the Mild Hybrid 136 eDCT engine.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Citroen.

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Emirates and the Kenya Tourism Board sign partnership agreement to drive inbound tourism

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Emirates

Reinforcing the airline’s longstanding commitment in market, the partnership agreement supports Kenya’s ambition to be the most visited tourism destination in Africa by promoting the destination in key regions on the airline’s vast global network

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, September 18, 2026/APO Group/ –Emirates (www.Emirates.com) and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) have signed a partnership agreement at the 2026 Arabian Travel Market, to strengthen collaboration and support the growth of inbound tourism to Kenya. Already one of the most consistently in-demand destinations on the airline’s Africa network, the partnership will build on this strong demand and help unlock new opportunities for Kenya to attract visitors from emerging and established markets around the world.
 




 
 

The partnership agreement was signed by Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations, Centre, and June Chepkemei, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tourism Board, in the presence of Ambassador. (Professor.) Julius K. Bitok, CBS. Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, and Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Rashid Alardha, Vice President of Commercial Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Emirates and Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager in Kenya, along with other senior officials.

 

Adil Al Ghaith said, “Kenya has been an important market for Emirates for over three decades, and our commitment goes much deeper than operations and connections. We’ve consistently invested in our presence in the market, working closely with travel trade partners and tourism stakeholders to stimulate inbound travel, and contribute positively to the global perception of Kenya. Nairobi remains one of the top 5 busiest gateways for Emirates in Africa, with significant traffic coming from UK and Europe, as well as the US. This partnership solidifies that longstanding commitment, enhancing our collaboration with the Kenya Tourism Board and the full, thriving tourism ecosystem across Nairobi and Kenya.”

 

We are delighted to partner with Emirates to strengthen Kenya’s global tourism profile and showcase the remarkable experiences our destination offers to travellers around the world

June Chepkemei said, “We are delighted to partner with Emirates to strengthen Kenya’s global tourism profile and showcase the remarkable experiences our destination offers to travellers around the world. Emirates’ extensive international network and strong reach in both established and emerging markets will help us build on the growing demand for Kenya and unlock new opportunities to attract more visitors. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to promoting Kenya as a leading, diverse and unforgettable destination, while supporting the continued growth of inbound tourism and the many communities that benefit from it.”

 

Tourism is a key pillar in Kenya’s economy, creating thousands of employment opportunities and serving millions of tourists who visit the country each year. The Kenya Tourism Board has bold plans to establish Kenya as the most visited tourism destination in Africa, with a year-round calendar of diverse, sustainable and authentic experiences that appeal to a swathe of international visitors.

 

Under the framework of the partnership agreement, Emirates and KTB will explore joint initiatives to promote Kenya in key markets on the airline’s global network, showcasing the breadth of Kenya’s year-round tourism offering, and encourage more travellers to visit. The partners will also closely collaborate to develop programmes for trade partners and tour operators that educate and excite the industry, such as incentives, familiarisation trips and other marketing initiatives.

 

Last year, Emirates marked 30 years of operations to Nairobi and, during that tenure, has established deep-rooted ties with local communities and the travel trade ecosystem. Earlier this month, the airline’s tour operating arm, Emirates Holidays, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kenya Association of Travel Agents to stimulate outbound travel by equipping over 300 travel agencies with enhanced product and network insight and competitive promotional opportunities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

 




 

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Afreximbank and Development Bank of Southern Africa establish a Joint Project Preparation Facility to advance bankable projects in Southern Africa

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Afreximbank

Through the JPPF, the institutions will jointly originate, screen and prioritise projects and support the technical, financial and legal work required to address bankability constraints

CAIRO, Egypt, September 18, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) have signed a Joint Project Preparation Facility (JPPF) Framework Agreement. Under the agreement, each institution will be able to contribute up to US$10 million to prepare high-impact, trade-enabling infrastructure and industrial projects in South Africa and the wider region.

 




 
 

The agreement is one of the first operational instruments to follow South Africa’s accession to the Afreximbank Establishment Agreement in February 2026. South Africa became Afreximbank’s 54th member state in February 2026, when the Bank also announced a US$ 8 billion Country Programme for the country. The agreement complements the Master Risk Participation Agreement signed by Afreximbank and DBSA in February 2026, extending the partnership upstream into project preparation. It also supports the objectives of South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, SADC integration and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Mrs Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development, signed on behalf of Afreximbank, while Mr. Greg Fyfe, Chief Investment Officer, DBSA, signed on behalf of his institution.

Through the JPPF, the institutions will jointly originate, screen and prioritise projects and support the technical, financial and legal work required to address bankability constraints. Priority sectors include power and energy, with particular attention to energy transition; transport and logistics; information and communication technology; strategic minerals beneficiation; and other mutually agreed sectors aligned with national, regional and continental development priorities. The framework will focus initially on South Africa and the wider Southern African region, with scope to consider other African jurisdictions of mutual interest.

Through this partnership with Afreximbank, we are leveraging our complementary strengths to improve project preparation

Through the JPPF, Afreximbank and DBSA will collaborate to advance high-impact projects from concept stage to bankability. The focus will be on trade-enabling infrastructure, industrial development, and export-oriented initiatives across South Africa and the Southern African region, with potential extension to other African jurisdictions of mutual strategic interest.

Commenting on the agreement, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank said:

“Africa’s infrastructure challenge is not only about shortage of capital; it is also about shortage of projects prepared to the standard required by investors and lenders. This JPPF addresses this critical constraint. By combining Afreximbank’s trade and industrialisation mandate with DBSA’s infrastructure-development expertise, we will help move priority projects from concept to investment readiness and mobilise the larger pools of public, private and blended finance required for implementation. For South Africa and the wider Southern Africa region, this is how project preparation becomes a practical instrument for industrialisation, export growth and regional integration under the AfCFTA.”

Gregory Fyfe, Chief Investment Officer at DBSA, said:

“The Joint Project Preparation Facility represents a significant step towards strengthening the pipeline of bankable infrastructure and industrial projects across South Africa and the Southern African region. Through this partnership with Afreximbank, we are leveraging our complementary strengths to improve project preparation. This will unlock investment opportunities and accelerate the delivery of infrastructure that supports economic growth, industrialisation and regional integration. This initiative reflects DBSA’s commitment to infrastructure-led development and to enabling sustainable, long-term impact through well-prepared projects that attract both public and private sector investment.”

Projects developed through the JPPF may seek downstream funding from Afreximbank, DBSA. They may also be presented to private investors, development finance institutions and commercial lenders, subject in every case to separate appraisal and approval. Both institutions will actively collaborate on origination, preparation, knowledge-sharing, and portfolio monitoring to accelerate project bankability and execution.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 

 




 

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Advancing the Agentic World, Building a Solid Silicon Foundation

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HUAWEI

Key takeaways:

  • Strategic focus: The rapid approach of an intelligent world is driving up demand for computing power. Huawei is focused on developing AI infrastructure, and is actively driving innovation in systems and architecture centered around SuperPoDs and SuperClusters. These efforts are aimed at building a solid silicon foundation for the intelligent world.
  • Technological breakthroughs: Huawei unveiled the Atlas 960E SuperPoD, the first in the industry to use NPO. The company also launched an upgraded TaiShan 950 SuperPoD, as well as the OceanStor M900 (a memory context storage system). Interconnected with UnifiedBus, Huawei’s agentic SuperCluster can scale up to one million NPUs.
  • Open ecosystems: Huawei is actively building out open computing ecosystems. To date, the Kunpeng ecosystem has attracted 4.16 million developers from around the world. CANN has moved to sustained, community-driven open-source development. Ascend now spans over 90 leading third-party open-source projects and is officially supported as a PyTorch accelerator backend.

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 September 2026 – HUAWEI CONNECT 2026 kicked off today in Shanghai. The first keynote of the date was by David Wang, the Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating Chairman at Huawei. In his speech (Advancing the Agentic World, Building a Solid Silicon Foundation), Wang highlighted the work the company is doing alongside industry stakeholders to build powerful AI infrastructure, lay a solid computing foundation, and address the challenges and opportunities in the intelligent world to come.

 




 
 

AI is sweeping the world faster than any previous technological revolution. Today, foundation model parameters are rapidly approaching 10 trillion, and are projected to exceed 100 trillion by 2030. AI agents can now work on the same task continuously, for hours on end. By 2030, they will be able to handle tasks that span months.

In China alone, the average number of inference tokens consumed every day has surged to around 500 trillion, and is expected to reach quintillions (1018) by 2030.

On-device AI is also advancing rapidly. On-device models for smartphones have expanded from three billion parameters in 2024 to 30 billion today, and will push toward hundreds of billions in the near future.

These trends will set a much higher bar for the scale, performance, and reliability of underlying technical systems. Only by building powerful AI infrastructure can the industry lay a solid foundation for the future intelligent world.

An intelligent world is approaching – and faster than ever. To lead the charge into this new world, Huawei is laser-focused on building out AI infrastructure – the silicon foundation for the future to come.

In particular, Huawei’s AI strategy is centered on computing power, with a focus on monetizing hardware. The company is also sharpening its competitive edge through systems and architectural innovation. Centering these efforts on SuperPoDs and SuperClusters, the company aims to build a solid computing foundation and offer a new option for the world.

Huawei is a major contributor to open computing ecosystems, and will continue to support native training for mainstream foundation models on its systems, as well as supporting a vast range of models and applications.

For customers, Huawei provides flexible on-premises and cloud compute solutions for its customers to accelerate intelligent transformation across industries.

With diverse forms of compute, including solutions for micro-, low-tier, mid-range, and massive computing power – Huawei is driving the expansion of on-device and in-vehicle AI, making intelligence truly ubiquitous.

Additionally, Huawei is dedicated to building next-generation communications networks to bring readily available compute and intelligence to every person, home, and organization.

SuperPoDs gain broad consensus, with adoption growing in industries, academia, and research institutes

To date, over 1,000 Atlas 900 A3 SuperPoDs have been deployed, and Atlas 950 SuperPoD is seeing large-scale commercial use. While adoption continues to grow, SuperPoDs have gained broad acceptance across industry, academia, and research institutions as a key direction for AI infrastructure. Currently, a SuperPoD is explicitly defined as a computing system in which multiple computing nodes are tightly coupled through high-speed interconnect protocols, featuring unified memory addressing across physical nodes — functioning like a single logical computer.

SuperPoDs are the go-to choice for AI infrastructure buildout. Right now, 100k-NPU computing clusters have become the baseline for training SOTA models. However, traditional server architectures result in intra-cluster communications that account for over 40% of total training time, severely constraining Model FLOPs Utilization (MFU). Simulation results from Huawei’s Markov Lab show that a 100k-NPU cluster built with 4k-NPU SuperPoDs can deliver a 2.75x increase in MFU compared to a 100k-NPU cluster composed of 8-NPU servers.

11-chip UnifiedBus-powered portfolio for SuperPoDs and SuperClusters; the Atlas 960E SuperPoD –the industry’s first to use NPO

The Ascend series of chips is the most critical component in Huawei’s 11-chip UnifiedBus-powered portfolio for SuperPoDs and SuperClusters. Development on Ascend 960 has exceeded the company’s expectations, with performance doubling as planned. Ascend 960DT will be available in Q1 2027, three quarters ahead of the company’s original roadmap. And the Ascend 960PR will be ready in Q3 2027, one quarter ahead of schedule.

“We’re evolving our Ascend chip series on a one-generation-a-year cycle,” said Wang in his keynote. “In 2028 and 2029, we will roll out the Ascend 970 and 980 chips, respectively. Thanks to the Tau (τ) Scaling Law, not only will their compute specifications continue to double, but you can also expect to see huge improvements across the board in terms of memory bandwidth, memory capacity, interconnect bandwidth, and more.”

In addition to Ascend chips, Huawei has also developed a complete portfolio of chips for AI infrastructure, based on UnifiedBus, delivering key capabilities that cover computing, interconnect, storage, and management.

“SuperPoDs are designed to coordinate multiple NPUs through interconnect,” continued Wang. “We have developed a next-generation optical interconnect product based on near-packaged optics (NPO): the High-density Optical-interconnect-Node Engine (Hi-ONE).” Built on Huawei’s proprietary technologies, Hi-ONE has a multi-physics design for balancing optical, mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, and thermal performance, realizing a transmission capacity of 7.2 Tbit/s per single engine.

“This is the industry’s first NPO product ready for mass production, delivering the largest transmission capacity. It is also the industry’s first NPO product with a built-in light source.”

This product combines high bandwidth and high reliability with low latency and low power consumption. This, coupled with UnifiedBus, will make it far easier to scale up SuperPoD interconnect systems.

Recently, Huawei submitted an implementation agreement (IA) on NPO to the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), a standards organization. The response from numerous industry partners has been widely positive. Huawei will continue its efforts to further refine the NPO industry ecosystem.

Using Ascend 960 chips and Hi-ONE, Huawei has developed the industry’s first NPO-based SuperPoDs: the Atlas 960E SuperPoDs. A single Atlas 960E SuperPoD can scale up to 4,096 NPUs, delivering 8 EFLOPS of FP8 compute performance, with up to 1 petabyte of HBM capacity. With 5,500 Hi-ONE units, this SuperPoD doesn’t need the 48,000 800G optical modules that would traditionally be required to connect all the NPUs. This cuts power consumption by over 550 kilowatts, while doubling the system’s fault-free operating time, achieving 99.8% system availability.

Combining the upgraded TaiShan 950 SuperPoD and context memory storage to power an ultrascale cluster with 1 million NPUs

As SOTA models scale to 10 trillion parameters, training and inference can no longer rely on a single AI server or AI SuperPoD – they require a more complex computing system. This system includes AI SuperPoDs, general-purpose SuperPoDs, and an interconnect system that features peer-to-peer interconnect and zero protocol conversion. For inference, including a petabyte-scale KV cache cluster is also a must.

To meet these demands, Huawei has fully upgraded its TaiShan 950 SuperPoD. Powered by UnifiedBus all-optical networking, this new SuperPoD supports up to 4,096 nodes with a unified memory pool of up to 256 TB. This setup significantly improves agent performance. For sandbox-intensive workloads, startup speeds for 100,000 sandboxes are 30 times faster than traditional servers, and sandbox density can be improved by an additional 25%. For vector search across 10 billion x 1,000-dimensional vectors, this SuperPoD delivers twice the search efficiency of traditional servers.

Huawei has also launched OceanStor M900 – a UnifiedBus-powered context memory storage cluster that delivers multi-tier KV caching for agent-heavy and longer-context workloads. Designed for agentic inference, this cluster supports one-hop direct access and provides a petabyte-scale KV cache for the L3.5 layer. OceanStor M900 also uses hybrid media and an optimized retention algorithm, extending SSD read/write lifespan by 16-fold. This ensures a higher KV cache hit rate alongside long-term stability and reliability from the ground up.

Combining its strengths in computing and communications, Huawei has built a brand-new agentic SuperCluster to accelerate training and inference for 10-trillion-parameter models. This SuperCluster uses UnifiedBus to consolidate multiple interconnect protocols into a single unified protocol, significantly reducing protocol conversion overhead. This delivers peer-to-peer interconnect between subsystems like Ascend SuperPoDs, Kunpeng SuperPoDs, and KV cache clusters. The SuperCluster also comes with a multi-tier, high-bandwidth, and large-capacity storage system that enables direct single-hop access for all KV cache tiers.

With a two-tier, four-plane Clos architecture, the SuperCluster can interconnect up to 512,000 NPUs. When combined with a multi-rail topology, this cluster can support up to one million NPUs.

One of Huawei’s core strategies: Going open source and open system to build out computing ecosystems

The Kunpeng ecosystem is driving digital and intelligent innovation across a wide range of industries. To date, the Kunpeng ecosystem has attracted over 4.16 million developers and more than 7,200 ecosystem partners from around the globe. The community currently supports over 560 open-source projects worldwide. openEuler has seen more than 20 million installations, securing the largest share in China’s server OS market.

The Ascend ecosystem has reached a new inflection point. The Compute Architecture for Neural Networks (CANN) is the foundation of the Ascend ecosystem. Today, CANN has moved to sustained, community-driven open-source development, which has brought the platform from usable to user-friendly.

External CANN developers now comprise 61% of all CANN developers, outnumbering internal developers for the first time. With over 5,200 monthly active developers, the CANN community has become the most vibrant open-source community in China. What’s more, over 40 models have been natively pre-trained on Ascend and CANN, making it the only proven domestic stack capable of model pre-training.

Ascend now supports over 90 leading third-party open-source projects, including PyTorch, Triton, vLLM, and veRL. With strong support from the Linux Foundation, Ascend is the first official Chinese compute platform on PyTorch’s website. This gives developers around the world ready access to new innovations in the Ascend ecosystem.

Diverse forms of compute for ubiquitous on-device and in-vehicle AI

AI is expanding faster into all kinds of devices. To deliver an unparalleled AI experience across all scenarios, Huawei will continue to strengthen capabilities in four key areas:

First, Huawei will combine Kirin and Ascend chips to drive self-reliance and autonomy in on-device compute.

Second, Huawei will bring together Pangu models and third-party models to make on-device intelligence better and easier to use.

Third, HarmonyOS, as an Agent OS for ubiquitous intelligence, will be completely redefined from the ground up – spanning system architecture, how it operates, and interaction logic – to enable human-agent collaboration.

Fourth, Huawei will keep cultivating a diverse AI ecosystem, which is the foundation for its system agent Celia to thrive.

Huawei plans to build four on-device computing platforms: for AI phones, AI PCs, vehicles, and homes. Through cross-device and device-cloud compute synergy, Huawei will be able to provide distributed swarm intelligence, delivering integrated and continuous intelligent services across personal mobile, office, vehicle, and home spaces, ultimately bringing intelligence to every person and every space.

Building next-generation communications that prioritize readily available compute, because without networks, all compute is siloed

Next-generation communications networks are crucial for fully unleashing the value of AI compute. We are driving the upgrade to networks that, in addition to connecting people, will prioritize delivering readily available compute. These networks will be underpinned by 5G-A/6G, 10-gigabit optical networks, and multi-tier, low-latency bearer networks, delivering intelligent connectivity across data centers, the edge, and devices.

Concluding his keynote, Wang expressed that AI “may well be the final technological revolution in human history,” noting that its impact is deeper and broader, and coming faster than anyone could have ever imagined. “No single company,” he said, “can build an intelligent world alone.”

He stressed Huawei’s ongoing commitments moving forward:
Huawei will remain committed to building a solid silicon foundation to make computing power readily accessible to all.
The company will continue to open source its software, helping developers unleash their full potential.
It will continue to embrace a wide range of models and applications, unlocking value in every form.

“And we will continue to work together to drive shared success, growing together with our customers and partners around the world,” Wang concluded. “Let’s work together to build a fully connected, intelligent world.”

Themed Advancing the Agentic World, HUAWEI CONNECT 2026 will delve into AI across three dimensions: strategy, technology, and ecosystems. You can expect an in-depth look at our latest strategic initiatives, and we’ll also be unveiling our all-new digital and intelligent infrastructure products, scenario-specific solutions for industries, and development tools. The event will run from September 17 to 19 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center and Shanghai Expo Center. For more information, please visit HUAWEI CONNECT 2026 online at www.huawei.com/en/events/huaweiconnect

FAQs:

Q1: What is a SuperPoD, and why is it becoming increasingly important?

A SuperPoD is a computing system in which multiple computing nodes are tightly coupled through high-speed interconnect, enabling them to share unified memory and function like a single computer. As foundation model training and inference continue to scale up, SuperPoDs can reduce communications overhead in large-scale clusters and improve Model FLOPs Utilization (MFU). They have gained broad consensus across industry, academia, and research institutes in AI infrastructure, and are the go-to choice for AI infrastructure buildout.

Q2: What makes the Atlas 960E SuperPoDs special?

The Atlas 960E SuperPoD is the industry’s first NPO-based SuperPoD. A single Atlas 960E SuperPoD can scale up to 4,096 NPUs, delivering 8 EFLOPS of FP8 compute performance, with up to 1 petabyte of HBM capacity. With 5,500 Hi-ONE units, this SuperPoD doesn’t need the 48,000 800G optical modules that would traditionally be required to connect all the NPUs. This cuts power consumption by over 550 kilowatts, while doubling the system’s fault-free operating time, achieving 99.8% system availability. Atlas 960E SuperPoDs can provide efficient and reliable computing power for large-scale AI training and inference.

Q3: What is NPO, and what role does Hi-ONE play in a SuperPoD?

NPO stands for Near-Packaged Optics, an optical interconnect technology designed for high-speed connectivity. Hi-ONE, developed by Huawei, is the industry’s first NPO product ready for mass production. It delivers the largest transmission capacity at 7.2 Tbit/s and is currently the industry’s only NPO product with a built-in light source. Hi-ONE, coupled with UnifiedBus, will make it far easier to scale up SuperPoD interconnect systems.
 




 

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