Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

Annual Meetings 2026 (AM2026): African Development Bank Group and World Economic Forum Partner to Unlock Investments in Africa’s Frontier Markets

Published

4 months ago

on

AM2026

The HRI Roadmap for Africa sets out a coordinated, country-led approach to mobilising commercial and catalytic capital in underserved frontier markets and transition states, regions where the investment gap is most acute

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, May 28, 2026/APO Group/ –The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday launched the Humanitarian and Resilience Investing (HRI) Roadmap for Africa to channel private investment into Africa’s most fragile economies.

 

The HRI Roadmap for Africa sets out a coordinated, country-led approach to mobilising commercial and catalytic capital in underserved frontier markets and transition states, regions where the investment gap is most acute and the enabling conditions for private investment have historically been weakest.

The roadmap’s development responds to a structural paradox at the heart of Africa’s financing challenge: the continent faces an annual development financing gap of about $400 billion. Despite having 17 percent of the world’s population, Africa attracts only 3.5 percent of global foreign direct investment and less than 2 percent of global venture capital. Shifting geopolitical dynamics and contracting official development assistance environment have further intensified the urgency. Pilots are already underway in Liberia, Somalia, Mozambique, and Djibouti.

In keynote remarks, African Development Bank Group Senior Vice President Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade, speaking on behalf of President Dr Sidi Ould Tah, underscored the urgency of the moment. “The time for a paradigm shift, from aid dependency to investment-led development, is now. The HRI Roadmap creates that foundation. It clarifies roles. It sequences interventions. It positions public and development finance where it belongs: as a catalyst, not a substitute.”

The world’s most vulnerable communities deserve more than relief — they deserve investment in the businesses and economies that allow them to thrive on their own terms

Ms. Sheba Crocker, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum; said: “The world’s most vulnerable communities deserve more than relief — they deserve investment in the businesses and economies that allow them to thrive on their own terms. Built on the global HRI initiative and backed by more than 100 partners, this Roadmap reflects our determination to move beyond fragmentation and toward the coordinated, investment-led approaches that Africa’s frontier markets urgently require.”

Acting Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, Dr Abdul Kamara, moderated a panel discussion on Catalysing Investment in Africa’s Frontier Markets that followed the high-level remarks. The panellists were WEF MD Sheba Crocker; Bihi Iman Egeh, Minister of Finance of Somalia; Chris Bold, Director, International Financial Institutions Department at the U.K’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); and Sara Mbago-Bhunu, Director, East and Southern Africa Division, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Minister Egeh argued that Somalia does not lack entrepreneurship but suffers from de-risking gaps and exclusion from correspondent banking. Mbago-Bhunu drew on examples from IFAD’s work with smallholder farmers– including a digital-voucher scheme with Kenyan commercial banks– to make the case that rural and peri-urban implementation will require integrated financial, digital and infrastructure tools, not isolated interventions. Bold explained that FCDO is steering its development finance institutions toward fragile states that rely on concessional capital. He pointed to Kenya’s M-Pesa mobile money system as proof that creating new markets depends as much on regulatory reform as on capital.

Mr. Bumi Camara, African Development Bank Chief Fragility and Resilience Economist, made a presentation on the roadmap.https://apo-opa.co/3PM4dKI

The Roadmap, which embeds climate resilience and gender inclusion as core pillars, aligns with the African Development Bank’s Four Cardinal Points strategic compass as well as the New African Financial Architecture for Development (NAFAD), endorsed through the Abidjan Consensus in April 2026. It also aligns with the Bank’s Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) — which to date has disbursed $1.33 billion to women-led businesses across 45 countries.

Click to download a copy of the HRI Roadmap (https://apo-opa.co/4veVCz4)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Business

Highly award-winning creative ideas double campaign impact new WARC insights reveal

Published

1 minute ago

on

September 18, 2026

By

WARC
  • One in five (21%) of all creatively awarded ideas are also awarded for effectiveness
  • Nearly half (45%) of highly awarded creative ideas are also awarded for effectiveness
  • TV’s role as lead channel is declining among top ideas
  • Most (88%) of highly creative and effective ideas aim for brand building. Two-thirds (61%) drive sales
  • Social justice, partnerships and emotion are creative effectiveness cheat codes.

WARC releases 5th edition of WARC Rankings analysis linking creativity and effectiveness in The health of creativity 2026
17 September 2026 – Each year, WARC tracks the results of the top regional and global award shows for creativity and effectiveness for the WARC Rankings, the ultimate benchmark for marketing.

Using 11 years of WARC Rankings data of show results from 2015 to 2025, a total of 6,360 ideas have been analysed to assess the correlation between creativity and effectiveness, the characteristics of the best-in-class campaigns, and the creative conversion by sector, brand and agency work.

Amy Rodgers, Head of Content, WARC Creative, says: “Mounting evidence demonstrates how creativity plays a crucial role in driving campaign success. Drawing on findings from 11 years’ worth of WARC Rankings data, we examined whether campaigns recognised for creative excellence have sustained or strengthened their performance edge compared to last year’s findings and what are the current shared characteristics that define the most creative and effective ideas.”

As creativity increases, so does effectiveness

Over a fifth (21%) of ideas awarded for creativity in shows tracked by the WARC Rankings were subsequently awarded for effectiveness. This conversion rate remains the same as last year.

However, when ideas are highly awarded for creativity, making it into the WARC Creative 100, the conversion to effectiveness more than doubles, rising from 21% to 45%, up from 44% last year.
“Should the 21% conversion rate be higher?” asks Rodgers. “Perhaps not, when viewed in the context of all the advertising produced. Winning both a creative and an effective award for the same campaign is hard. Factors include the current shift away from brand building to performance, brand size, and resources to measure effectiveness and prepare for strong award entries.”

Takeaways from WARC’s analysis of 167 best-of-the-best ideas, which are highly creative and highly effective having ranked in both the WARC Creative 100 and Effective 100 between 2016 and 2026, are:

  • TV’s role as a lead channel is declining among top ideas despite its strength for emotion and storytelling strategies

A quarter of best-in-class ideas (25%) led with television in 2025, down from 44% in 2018. Its strength still lies in its ability to reach engaged audiences in large numbers, and exploit emotion and storytelling, both key strategies for encoding marketing messages in memory.

Data suggests that no single channel is taking its place – instead, the lead role is now spread across a broader mix of channels.
 

  • Top ideas target brand building

 

Most campaigns (85%) aim for brand building, an objective seen only slightly more often in highly creative and effective work (88%). Strong brands drive growth and command premium pricing through long-term equity investment. Success requires consistent delivery of the brand promise across product performance, advertising, and pricing strategy, with a focus on building equity and awareness.

 

  • The best of the best ideas favour social justice, partnerships and emotion

 

Compared to the average, nearly half (49%) of highly creative and highly effective ideas significantly over-index in the use of social justice issues – including CSR, advocacy, and brand activism. Customer experience is used by 42% of the top ideas and strategic partnerships by 40%.

 

The data suggests that the strongest ideas go beyond conventional customer-focused tactics to engage with broader societal issues and wider audiences.

 

  • Best ideas drive sales and gain customers

 

Almost two-thirds (61%) of the best ideas have a measurable impact on sales and almost half on market penetration. ROI and revenue also over-index significantly in award-winning work. Behavioural change emerges as a distinctive metric for top-performing campaigns.

 

This suggests that the best ideas aim to not only build brands, but also to influence behaviour and generate wider impact.

 

  • Top ideas measure PR value

 

PR value is a soft metric measured by 70% of highly creative and highly effective ideas – more than double the 27% for all cases – highlighting the importance of fame. Best-of-the-best ideas also over-index in other soft metrics including social media buzz, brand health and search.

 

  • Best ideas have longer campaign durations

 

Highly creative and effective ideas play the long game. Over a third (37%) of award-winning campaigns run for a year or longer, compared to just 15% of typical cases. This aligns with research showing that highly creative campaigns build emotional resonance that drives lasting impact, while less creative efforts tend to deliver short-term results.

 

  • Creative effectiveness is strongest in the retail sector

 

One in five (20%) of the 167 most creative and effective ideas come from the retail sector, despite making up just 13% of all cases. The food sector follows with 10%, technology & electronics, toiletries & cosmetics and financial services (8%).

 

  • Successful ideas have higher creative commitment scores

Creative commitment is a composite measure of the media budget, duration and number of media channels used for a creative campaign or initiative. Creative commitment correlates strongly with effectiveness – as creative commitment increases, so does effectiveness (sales, brand building, market share and profit).

Comparing case studies in the full WARC Rankings dataset with ideas ranked in the WARC Creative 100 and Effective 100, creative commitment is higher (score of 7.0) in highly successful ideas than the average (6.0). Importantly, these numbers are not a reflection of brand size.
Creative conversion to effectiveness by agency network

For creatively awarded ideas, Ogilvy leads with a total tally of 575, adding 84 this year, while BBDO tops the number of creatively awarded ideas that converted to effective at 137. VML showed the strongest growth, adding 27 converted ideas. By conversion % rate, Saatchi & Saatchi leads agency networks with a 32% conversion rate of its creatively awarded ideas also awarded for effectiveness, rising to 44% for highly creative ideas. (Data reflects agency networks as credited at the time of award, including those since acquired, merged, or rebranded).
Now in its fifth year, The Health of Creativity report also includes information on creative conversion by category, brand, agency network and the full list of the 167 best-of-the-best ideas. WARC subscribers can read the report in full. An infographic is available here.

The next edition of the WARC Rankings – Creative 100, Media 100, Effective 100 – will be published in March 2027, following analysis of work awarded during 2026.




Continue Reading

Business

Created to explore: Canon EOS R8 Mark II inspires full-frame confidence and stability in a travel-ready size

Published

8 minutes ago

on

September 18, 2026

By

The Canon EOS R8 Mark II combines portability with full-frame mirrorless camera quality and advanced stabilisation to capture wider views, beautiful background blur and stunning low-light image quality

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, September 17, 2026/APO Group/ –Canon today unveils the Canon EOS R8 Mark II (https://apo-opa.co/4j8ZE9t), a lightweight full-frame camera that inspires confidence and offers creative freedom.

The Canon EOS R8 Mark II combines portability with full-frame mirrorless camera quality and advanced stabilisation to capture wider views, beautiful background blur and stunning low-light image quality.

 




 
 

Building on the success of the EOS R8, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II responds to the needs of photographers with greater control and capability in a compact body. Made for those who want to explore more, from new places to new creative ideas, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II is a versatile choice for travel photography. It’s easy to carry, simple to use and helps to capture unrepeatable moments.

The distinctly modern design marks a new chapter in the EOS R System. The Canon EOS R8 Mark II carries forward Canon’s design heritage while evolving it into a more contemporary form that meets the needs and preferences of today’s photographers and creators.

At the heart of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II is a 24.2MP full-frame CMOS sensor, complemented by a DIGIC X processor. Together, they deliver exceptional clarity, rich colour and impressive dynamic range. A powerful In-Body Image Stabilizer (IBIS) provides up to 7.5 stops1 of stability, making it easier to shoot handheld and capture sharp images in low light and on the move without compromising image quality.

With an abundance of creative and performance-focused imaging technology in a compact, stabilised body, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II is well suited to travel photography. Its feature-rich design includes advanced capabilities inherited from high-end EOS R System cameras, such as Register People Priority, which automatically keeps selected individuals in focus, and pre-continuous shooting, which helps capture scenes that unfold in an instant, before the user has time to react.

Ready for every moment of the journey

From spotting wildlife on safari to street performers launching into spectacular tricks and festival crowds throwing colourful powder into the air, the most memorable travel experiences are often fleeting and difficult to photograph. With its 40fps2 shooting speed and expanded buffer that can handle up to 73 RAW files in a single burst, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II keeps pace with fast-moving action.

Pre-continuous shooting in H+ mode gives Canon EOS R8 Mark II users the edge during even more unpredictable situations. Recording approximately half a second before the shutter button is fully pressed, it provides up to 20 extra images to help secure the decisive shot. Whether you’re waiting for a crowd to clear at an iconic landmark or anticipating a family member’s reaction to trying a new cuisine, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II captures the shot before your reflexes do.

Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with Deep Learning subject detection automatically recognises and tracks people, animals and vehicles, bringing subjects into sharp focus rapidly with eye, face, head and body tracking. The Canon EOS R8 Mark II’s improved tracking persistence reliably maintains focus even when the subject briefly disappears from view, making it easy to keep travel companions in focus as they move through crowded locations. Autofocus is also possible in light levels as low as EV -7.53 – the same as the flagship EOS R1 professional camera.

Register People Priority brings additional precision when photographing the people who matter most. Users can register up to 10 faces in the camera and up to 100 on a memory card, allowing the Canon EOS R8 Mark II to automatically recognise registered family members and friends whenever they appear in the frame. It then focuses on them according to the priority set by the user – helping to keep loved ones sharp in busy travel scenes, group shots and spontaneous encounters.

Compact, lightweight, creative

A new streamlined EOS design offers confident, intuitive handling, with customisable buttons, controls and modes enabling users to personalise the Canon EOS R8 Mark II to suit their shooting style. The camera also pairs well with a versatile range of lightweight Canon RF lenses, from the all-purpose RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM (https://apo-opa.co/4xPaLIB) and ultra-fast RF 45mm F1.2 STM (https://apo-opa.co/4xWaF2r) prime to the compact RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM (https://apo-opa.co/4hcaau3) telephoto zoom for wildlife and distant subjects.

Design improvements compared with the EOS R8 include a multi-controller that makes it quicker to operate the camera when shooting handheld. The optional Canon Extension Grip EG-E2 further enhances handling, and features a separate tripod socket plus direct access to the camera battery for added convenience.

Flexible colour tools, including Canon Picture Styles and Filmtone Colour Filters, give photographers the freedom to capture the character of a destination as they experience it – and create images that make the viewer feel as though they are actually there. Additionally, the Canon EOS R8 Mark II’s adjustable, natural-looking Smooth Skin effect makes it easy to create flattering portraits straight from the camera without the need for complex post-processing.

Photographers can also explore the world of immersive three-dimensional images and models. The Canon EOS R8 Mark II is the first camera to include Canon’s new Dual Pixel 3D imaging technology, allowing users to capture JPEGs containing depth information and convert them into 3D content using the free Dual Pixel 3D Converter App for Windows.4

The freedom to stay connected

Comprehensive connectivity means Canon EOS R8 Mark II users can share on the go. Wi-Fi® (2.4GHz / 5GHz)5 and Bluetooth® 5.3 provide fast and reliable wireless transfer of images and video, while support for the Canon Camera Connect app enables remote shooting and seamless image sharing from a smartphone. Automatic backups and image sorting via www.image.canon offer peace of mind while travelling.

A high-speed USB-C® port provides up to 10Gbps data transfer, along with USB charging and power delivery, giving users the flexibility to connect via cable when needed. For long days out, the ability to charge on the go and shoot for longer using a power bank adds further convenience. USB livestreaming also highlights the Canon EOS R8 Mark II’s versatility, making it simple to share adventures live while offering the freedom to explore new ways of using the camera over time.

High-quality video and sound recording make the Canon EOS R8 Mark II an ideal hybrid camera for those looking to explore their creativity in new ways. Oversampled 4K video from 6K delivers superior detail, while Full HD shot at up to 180fps opens up the world of slow-motion recording. Cinema View (2.35:1 aspect ratio) and Custom Picture profiles, including Canon Log 3 and HLG, make it simple to achieve a cinematic look, while Movie Digital IS helps maintain stable footage while filming handheld.

The Canon EOS R8 Mark II will appeal to photographers who value the creative possibilities of a full-frame sensor, but don’t want to compromise on portability. Bringing together image quality, speed and creative control in a travel-ready design, it’s a camera that’s ready for every journey.

Key features of the Canon EOS R8 Mark II:

• Lightweight at approximately 499g (546g with card and battery)

• 24.2MP full-frame sensor

• Up to 7.5-stop1 Coordinated lens and in-body IS

• 40fps2 continuous shooting,  with a bigger buffer than the EOS R8

• Pre-continuous shooting in H+ mode up to 20 frames

• Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with intelligent subject detection

• Filmtone Colour Filters, Custom Picture and Look File (LUT) support

• Wi-Fi® (2.4GHz / 5GHz)5 and Bluetooth® 5.3

• USB-C® connectivity and charging

• Livestreaming options

• Up to 4K 60p video, oversampled from 6K

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Middle East.

 

 




 

Continue Reading

Business

Load shedding has eased: South Africa now faces its next industrial energy test

Published

10 minutes ago

on

September 18, 2026

By

vukagroup

The EIUG Conference will bring together industrial energy users, policymakers, utilities, financiers and technology providers to examine what South Africa’s next phase of the energy transition means for the businesses that power its economy

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 17, 2026/APO Group/ –South Africa’s energy conversation is changing. With Eskom recording more than 400 consecutive days without load shedding, the focus for energy-intensive businesses is shifting from simply securing electricity to ensuring that energy supports industrial competitiveness, investment and growth.

 




 
 

For South Africa’s mines, manufacturers, smelters and other large power users, significant challenges remain. Grid capacity, rising operating costs, renewable energy integration, power quality and the financing of alternative energy solutions are increasingly influencing investment and operational decisions.

These issues will take centre stage at the EIUG Conference, taking place 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, focused on the challenges and opportunities facing South Africa’s energy-intensive users.

The next industrial energy challenge

Large energy users are already changing how they source power. Seriti Green’s 155 MW Ummbila Emoyeni wind farm, which began commercial operations in July 2026, is supplying Seriti’s mining operations through wheeling, illustrating how industrial users are increasingly combining grid electricity with private renewable generation.

At the same time, transmission capacity is becoming critical as more generation connects to the system. Recent collaboration between the Development Bank of Southern Africa and National Transmission Company South Africa is aimed at accelerating investment in South Africa’s transmission network.

The EIUG Conference programme reflects these changing priorities.

The session “Industrialisation Under Threat?” will examine whether current energy and market conditions are supporting or constraining South Africa’s mining, manufacturing and smelting sectors, including the impact of energy costs, self-generation and changing industrial demand.

A dedicated Grid Security discussion will explore ageing infrastructure, renewable penetration, frequency stability, voltage fluctuations and the roles of NTCSA, Eskom, municipalities and industry in maintaining a reliable electricity system.

Delegates will also explore renewable energy integration for heavy industry, including how solar, wind and hybrid energy systems can support the continuous power requirements of mining, manufacturing, metals and cement operations.

Financing these changes will be equally important. The programme’s Finance for Transition Masterclass will cover financing models, de-risking, storage economics and investment in industrial decarbonisation projects.

From energy security to competitiveness

South Africa’s improved electricity availability is an important milestone, but the next measure of success will be whether the country can turn a changing energy system into stronger industrial growth.

The EIUG Conference will bring together industrial energy users, policymakers, utilities, financiers and technology providers to examine what South Africa’s next phase of the energy transition means for the businesses that power its economy.

The question is no longer only whether South Africa can keep the lights on, but whether its energy system can keep its industries competitive.

Event details

EIUG Conference 2026
28–29 October 2026
The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 

 




 

Continue Reading

Trending