Connect with us
Anglostratits

Business

Canon Central & North Africa Achieves Great Success with Canon’s Latest Large Format Technology Developments at FESPA Global Print Expo 2025

Published

on

Canon

Through real-world applications across the retail, interior décor, Point of Sale (POS) and promotional packaging segments, Canon inspired sign makers and print service providers (PSPs) with an array of materials printed on the Arizona, Colorado and imagePROGRAF printers – as part of end-to-end workflow solutions that include both Canon platforms such as PRISMA XL Suite and multiple partner products. Under the overarching theme of ‘The Power to Move’, customer stories were brought to life, demonstrating how bold, high-impact print creates emotional connections, delivers real business momentum and transforms spaces into unforgettable brand experiences. Aligning with FESPA’s theme of ‘Where visionaries meet’, Canon showcased its collaboration with partners and highlight how it can satisfy the large format graphic needs of customers, helping them push the boundaries to expand their commercial scope.

Canon Central & North Africa marked a highly successful presence at FESPA Global Print Expo 2025, reaffirming its leadership in the wide format printing space. The event drew significant interest from the region, with 30 invited customers witnessing firsthand the power of Canon’s latest technologies.

The event proved instrumental in showcasing Canon’s cutting-edge innovations—including the new Colorado M-series update, enhancing capabilities for soft signage, and the powerful PRISMAElevate XL update that opens new dimensions for the Arizona series. The enthusiasm was palpable, with several deals secured during the show, including an on-stand sale of a Colorado M-series printer and commitments for additional Arizona and M-series units. Visitors were especially inspired by Canon’s immersive customer applications corner, featuring stunning displays using specialty print media and creative finishing effects.

Amine Djouahra, B2B Business Unit Director commented: “FESPA 2025 was a game-changing experience for Canon Central & North Africa and our customers. The energy at the Canon stand was incredible—we saw first-hand how our innovations like the Colorado M-series update and PRISMAElevate XL are inspiring new business models across soft signage, packaging, wallpaper, and interior décor. Our customers left feeling not just impressed but empowered. The discussions we had and the partnerships we showcased—especially with players like Neolt and Kongsberg—demonstrated how Canon’s holistic approach to the wide format ecosystem can help customers drive revenue, differentiate offerings, and expand into new markets. The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received reinforces how vital platforms like FESPA are for fostering innovation and growth.”

Customers were particularly captivated by real-world applications like the Colorado Packaging Factory, Poster Factory, and Wallpaper Factory, alongside diverse interior décor solutions enabled by the Arizona 2380 GTF. These demonstrations highlighted the commercial potential and creative versatility of Canon’s wide format portfolio. Discussions with strategic partners such as Neolt, Kongsberg, and Lamina further deepened customer understanding of the end-to-end print ecosystem—from packaging and wallpaper to labels and signage. Notably, Morocco’s Magic Walls signed a deal for the Colorado M3W to meet growing demand in the interior décor market, with ARKEOS taking charge of local after-sales support.

A number of customer case studies were featured, including Norwegian floristry business, Fiori, which was illustrated in a real-world, interior décor, business case how strong collaboration in the value chain can maximise the potential of high-value, impactful print. Elements of Canon’s immersive World Unseen project was also on display: a unique photography exhibition which enables everyone – blind, partially sighted and sighted visitors – to experience imagery in an entirely new way, reflecting print’s potential to enrich lives and businesses.

On the stand, the Arizona 2380 GTF flatbed printer with FLXflow technology with roll media option for flexible printing from roll-to-roll, demonstrated its uniquely intelligent way to not only ‘Hold’ and ‘Float’ media, but also perform an ‘Instant Switch’ between the two modes for easy media handling. As true flatbed printers, the Arizona series can work accurately and highly efficiently with various rigid and flexible substrates, including more challenging media such as cardboard, wood or glass, offering vast application possibilities ideal for a retail or hospitality environment. Optimising the workflow, PRISMA XL Suite samples showed how PRISMAelevate XL can be used to create printed layers to a height of 4 mm, helping users create stand-out, tactile artwork for elevated print applications that enhance and expand their product offering – including braille signage.

Highlighting to PSPs and print factories its productivity, modularity and in-field upgradability, the award-winning UVgel roll-to-roll printer, the Colorado M-series, was printing a variety of large format graphics applications live on the stand. The extensive and premium range of applications it can print was presented with bright and bold wallpapers, window graphics and soft signage made possible with a number of options, such as the hassle-free white ink, FLXfinish+ technology for printing both matte and gloss at the same time, and FLXture for subtle surface details. Visitors had the opportunity to see both the Arizona and Colorado printers live in action during demonstrations on the stand.

Multiple current and new UVgel Factory configurations featuring the Colorado were exhibited with different finishing partners to illustrate its broad application options, no matter what a PSP’s volume requirements or budget are. These included the UVgel Wallpaper Factory, situated on Fotoba’s stand, which showed how customers can automate production of mass-customised wallpaper at high volumes, unattended and around the clockThis end-to-end solution demonstrates the capability of the Colorado M-series when used in line with the Fotoba jumbo roll feeder, cutter and rewinder to produce a variety of curated wallcoverings. Nearby, on Canon’s finishing partner NEOLT’s stand, they presented the UVgel Packaging Factory, which displayed cost-effective and versatile digital printing for packaging as well as signage, and posters – perfect for short, custom runs.

Representing the Canon imagePROGRAF family of water-based inkjet printers was the imagePROGRAF GP-6600S (60 inch, 152.4 cm), which produces stunning graphics, ensuring precise colour replication for images and corporate colours. Boasting seven colours including orange ink, the imagePROGRAF GP-6600S can create an eye-catching spectrum of colours with PANTONE™ [1] precision [2], thanks to the innovative LUCIA PRO II inks [3], making it perfect for printing graphic applications in brand colours. The web-based poster creation software, PosterArtist, illustrated to visitors how they can easily create auto-generated, attention-grabbing posters, banners and flyers to meet all their commercial needs.

Demonstrating real-life, end-to-end workflows across the stand, Canon highlighted how its PRISMA XL Suite supports PSPs to deliver first-time-right prints and simplifies the production of complex jobs, whether it’s printing five layers or creating textured or elevated applications. Visitors were able to follow the entire workflow management process, from online ordering including file preparation and printing the job, right through to shipment. Encompassing also the software of Canon partners ERPA, SKYCO, Symphony, OneVision and Onyx, each automated step will show PSPs how a holistic approach to workflow can help them respond to constantly changing challenges and to achieve greater profitability. Visitors also had the opportunity to see a selection of Canon’s vast media portfolio, including sustainably sourced papers, for optimal printing results.

The overwhelmingly positive feedback we received reinforces how vital platforms like FESPA are for fostering innovation and growth

 

[1] PANTONE™ is a trademark or registered trademark of Pantone LLC.

[2] 96% of ‘PANTONE™ FORMULA GUIDE Solid Coated’ sample book using Canon Premium Semi-glossy paper 2 with imagePROGRAF printer driver at [High] [Colour Correction Off].

[3] Five of the seven inks are newly developed. The matte black and orange inks are the same as those used by the imagePROGRAF GP-2000/4000.

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

Home  Facebook

Energy

High-Level Minister Roundup to Headline African Energy Week 2026

Published

on

African Energy Chamber

African Energy Week 2026 will convene ministers from Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Zambia and Niger to spotlight oil, gas expansion, reforms and investment opportunities continentwide

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 13, 2026/APO Group/ –A high-level ministerial roundup will take center stage at this year’s African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 – taking place in Cape Town from 12–16 October –, convening some of the continent’s most influential energy leaders at a defining moment for Africa’s oil, gas and power sectors. As hydrocarbon expansion converges with accelerating energy transition strategies, the gathering is set to spotlight real-time project execution, regulatory reform and cross-border infrastructure that are actively reshaping Africa’s energy future.

 

Confirmed ministers to date include Algeria’s Minister of Energy and Renewable Energies Mourad Adjal, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, Senegal’s Minister of Energy, Petroleum and Mines Birame Soulèye Diop, Zambia’s Minister of Energy Makozo Chikote and Niger’s Minster of Petroleum Hamadou Tinni.

 

Fresh from a March OPEC+ decision to lift output to 977,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Algeria enters AEW 2026 amid a $60 billion sector transformation. The country is also advancing a 500-well exploration drive and accelerating its 1.48 GW “Project of the Century” solar rollout. Gas exports to Europe remains central to the country, supported by hydrogen corridor planning and refinery expansion aimed at boosting capacity to 50 million tons by 2029.

 

Following license extension for Jubilee and TEN to 2040 and the late-2025 restart of the Tema Oil Refinery, Ghana is pushing a $3.5 billion upstream reinvestment plan while settling $500 million in gas arrears. A 1,200 MW state thermal plant and expanded gas processing at Atuabo anchor its gas-to-power shift, alongside a renewed upstream push in the Voltaian Basin.

The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital

 

Senegal’s delegation comes on the back of strong production momentum, with the Sangomar oil field delivering 36.1 million barrels in 2025, outperforming forecasts, while the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG development ramped up to 2.9 million tons per annum following first gas. Dakar is now prioritizing domestic gas through refinery upgrades at the SAR refinery and preparations for Sangomar Phase 2 to push output beyond 100,000 bpd.

 

Zambia is redefining its power mix after drought-induced hydro shortfalls. New solar capacity – including the 200 MW Chisamba expansion and 136 MW Itimpi Phase 2 – is part of a broader 2,500 MW diversification drive. Cabinet has approved major regional fuel pipelines, while the Energy Single Licensing System fast-tracks approvals. Lusaka targets 10 GW generation by 2030, with solar and wind rising to one-third of supply.

Niger’s presence reflects its emergence as a serious oil exporter, with the fully operational 1,950-km Niger-Benin pipeline now moving up to 90,000 bpd to international markets. Alongside uranium expansion and renewed cooperation with Algeria on upstream assets, Niamey is advancing digital oversight reforms and reinforcing energy sovereignty amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.

 

“The participation of these distinguished ministers underscores the scale of opportunity unfolding across Africa’s energy landscape and the urgency of aligning policy with capital,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Their leadership reflects a continent moving decisively from strategy to execution, creating a platform where investors can engage directly with the policymakers shaping Africa’s next wave of oil, gas and energy growth.”

 

At AEW 2026, this ministerial cohort will be well-positioned to offer investors direct insight into Africa’s most dynamic energy markets – where new barrels, new pipelines and new megawatts are reshaping regional growth trajectories in real time.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Continue Reading

Business

Enlit Africa 2026 Programme: 280+ speakers, African nuclear 2.0, Bruce Whitfield Business Breakfast

Published

on

Enlit Africa

The event, taking place 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expects 7,200+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors, making it Africa’s largest gathering of energy and water professionals

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Enlit Africa (https://apo-opa.co/4cEX08g) has released its full 2026 conference programme, featuring 280+ speakers across 8 specialised tracks including a new African Nuclear 2.0 session covering Koeberg’s 20-year life extension and Ghana’s nuclear vendor selection process.

 

The event, taking place 19-21 May 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, expects 7,200+ attendees and 250+ exhibitors, making it Africa’s largest gathering of energy and water professionals.

Award-winning business journalist and best-selling author Bruce Whitfield will deliver the opening address at the Project & Investment Network Business Breakfast on 19 May, kicking off three days of strategic sessions, deal-making platforms, and technical masterclasses.

New programme content includes:

African Nuclear 2.0 – A dedicated session examining the transition from planning to execution, featuring:

Koeberg Nuclear Power Station’s successful 20-year life extension (Units 1 and 2 now licensed until 2044/2045)

Ghana’s progression to Phase 3 of its nuclear programme, evaluating US, Chinese, and Russian technology bids

West African Power Pool‘s 10 GW regional nuclear capacity target

Small Modular Reactor (SMR) deployment readiness across African grids

Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) – A new session exploring how private investment is unlocking Africa’s transmission bottleneck, featuring global case studies from India’s PowerGrid and lessons for scaling grid capacity across the continent.

Generation Masterclasses – Five interactive roundtables on gas-to-power, nuclear, hydro power, clean coal, and hydrogen.

AI in Africa’s Power Grid – Examining practical deployment realities, real-time analytics, and predictive maintenance applications already in operation across African utilities.

Conference sessions and technical hub sessions on the expo floor are CPD-accredited by the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE).

Co-located platforms:

Water Security Africa features country playbooks from Namibia (55-year potable reuse programme), Uganda (NRW reduction from 42% to 32%), Cape Town (Day Zero recovery strategies), and sector-specific stewardship sessions with Harmony Gold, Heineken, Mediclinic, and Growthpoint Properties.

Project & Investment Network (P&IN), part of the new Level 2 Executive Experience, connects project developers, investors, African utility CEOs, and DFIs through structured matchmaking, ministerial dialogues, and project briefings. Over the past two years, P&IN has facilitated $3 billion in project pitches.

Utility CEO Forum brings together 35+ confirmed utility CEOs under Chatham House Rule for candid, off-the-record strategic discussions on unbundling, prosumer management, and financial sustainability.

Municipal Forum addresses South African municipalities’ distribution, metering, and revenue challenges, including sessions on NRW management, tariff reform, Cost of Supply studies, and electrifying informal settlements.

Technical Hub sessions on the exhibition floor offer free, CPD-accredited training across Power, Renewable Energy & Storage, and Water tracks, with confirmed speakers from Eskom, ENGIE SA, ACTOM, National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), RenEnergy, and Matla Energy.

Site visits on 22 May include Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and the V&A Waterfront desalination plant.

Pass options:
Free expo pass registration: https://apo-opa.co/4bl2bYu

Free expo passes provide access to 250+ exhibitors and CPD-accredited Technical Hub sessions.

Delegate Pass:
Early bird registration closes 3 April 2026. Delegate passes start at R15,100 (Silver), with P&IN Executive passes at R32,000 including access to the Bruce Whitfield breakfast, Level 2 executive lounge, and investor matchmaking.

Download the full programme: https://apo-opa.co/3NwCble

Register: https://apo-opa.co/4cEX08g

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Continue Reading

Business

Binance Secures Second Major Legal Victory in U.S. Court Under Anti-Terrorism Act in Two Weeks

Published

on

Binance

US Federal Court in Alabama Dismisses All Claims Against Binance in Latest Lawsuit Victory

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Binance (www.Binance.com), the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, announced today that a U.S. federal court in Alabama has dismissed all claims against the company in a lawsuit alleging violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). This marks Binance’s second major legal victory in an  ATA matter within one week, following their victory in the Southern District of New York.

A Full and Complete Legal Victory

In a detailed 19-page ruling, the Court found the plaintiffs’ complaint to be legally and factually deficient. The court’s decision to dismiss every claim across the board represents a decisive legal victory for Binance.

Sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law – they require evidence, legal rigour, and due process

The judge described the filing as a “shotgun pleading.” The complaint failed to clearly specify the claims and improperly grouped all defendants together without distinguishing individual conduct or liability. The ruling also emphasized that the plaintiffs did not meet the basic pleading standard to provide a “short and plain statement” of their claims.

Following the ruling, the court granted the plaintiffs until April 10, 2026, to file an amended complaint addressing the deficiencies identified. However, the judge warned that failure to adequately address these issues would result in dismissal of the entire case.

Building on Momentum and Upholding Legal Integrity

“This decision reinforces our unwavering commitment to protecting Binance and our community from unsubstantiated and bad-faith lawsuits,” shared Eleanor Hughes, General Counsel at Binance. “Sanctions compliance and terrorism financing are serious matters of law – they require evidence, legal rigour, and due process. Courts have now examined these claims on two separate occasions and found them to be without merit. These outcomes speak for themselves. We will not tolerate attempts to misuse the legal system to target our industry, and we remain as committed as ever to transparency, security, and lawful conduct in everything we do”.

This latest decision follows closely on the heels of Binance’s comprehensive victory in New York (https://apo-opa.co/46Xg0ev), where the Court similarly rejected allegations that the company assisted, participated in, or conspired with terrorists. Together, these rulings reflect Binance’s strong resolve to protect its platform and community.

Binance has consistently invested in industry-leading compliance infrastructure, regulatory engagement, and legal governance. The company will continue to vigorously defend itself against any attempts to bring unfounded claims or misrepresent its operations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

Continue Reading

Trending