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

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2 years ago

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Canon

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

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

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

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

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

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

Business-To-Consumer Zones

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

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

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

Business-To-Business Zones

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

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

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

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

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

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SLB commissions new fluids systems plant in Pemba to support Mozambique’s offshore energy development

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2 days ago

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October 9, 2026

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Mozambique

New facility expands in-country drilling and completion fluids capability, advancing the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique

PEMBA, Mozambique, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –SLB (NYSE: SLB) (www.SLB.com) announced the opening of a new fluids systems plant in Pemba, Mozambique. The new facility strengthens in-country capacity to prepare, store and deliver drilling and completion fluids for offshore operations, reinforcing the infrastructure needed as Mozambique’s offshore activity grows and its role as a strategic energy hub for East Africa continues to expand.

The commissioning of the plant, also known as a liquid mud plant, coincides with SLB marking 70 years of operations in Mozambique. It reflects the company’s long-term commitment to investing in people, infrastructure and capability that support the country’s long-term offshore energy development plans.

 




  

With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the liquid mud plant provides a scalable platform for future growth, supporting multiple customers and rising offshore activity while improving logistics and enhancing operational flexibility.

As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions

“As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions,” said Miguel Baptista, Central, East and Southern Africa, Managing Director, SLB. The new liquid mud plant strengthens local energy infrastructure, expands opportunities for local content development, and enhances our ability to support customers as they deliver some of Africa’s most significant offshore energy resources.”

The liquid mud plant project was delivered with strong local participation and that momentum is expected to continue into operations. During project delivery, more than 100 jobs were created in Pemba with nationals representing 80% of the workforce, reflecting a focus on building local capability.

The project was delivered with a strong focus on safety, operational integrity, and quality, achieving more than 67,000 hours worked without a recordable safety incident.

This key infrastructure strengthens SLB’s ability to support consistent service quality and enhance supply chain readiness for increasing offshore activity across Mozambique, supporting customers execute safely and efficiently while developing local skills and expertise.

Key Points:

  • SLB has commissioned a new fluids system plant in Pemba, expanding in-country drilling and completion fluids capability for offshore operations.
  • With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the facility provides a scalable platform to support growing offshore activity in Mozambique.
  • The investment marks the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique, strengthening local capability and supporting long-term offshore energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SLB.

 

 




 

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South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) welcomes 4,600 MW battery storage prioritisation and calls for integrated energy planning

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2 days ago

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October 9, 2026

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Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –The South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) (www.SAESA.org.za) welcomes the prioritisation of 4,600 MW of battery energy storage under the first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 Section 34 determination.

 




  

The timing is significant. Recent Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) modelling and assumptions discussions highlighted a fundamental shift that South Africa’s energy planning now needs to capture: we cannot plan the future power system by counting megawatts of generation alone.

We must plan for when energy is available, where it is available, how it moves through a constrained grid and how it is stored and dispatched when the system needs it most.

The announcement reinforces that shift. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply.

For SAESA, the message for the IEP is clear: storage, flexibility and system services must be modelled as integral components of South Africa’s future electricity architecture, with their contribution considered from the outset of generation planning.

“The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited,” says SAESA.

The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited

Partnership with C&I Energy + Storage Summit

SAESA is an association partner of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, created by VUKA Group, taking place on 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

The summit brings together commercial and industrial energy users, project developers, financiers, regulators and solution providers to explore practical approaches to energy security, procurement and storage deployment.

For businesses assessing how storage can support their operations, the event offers an opportunity to meet SAESA and engage with the wider energy community on the decisions shaping South Africa’s evolving electricity system.

Commercial and industrial energy decision-makers are invited to apply to attend as hosted buyers. Qualifying buyers receive complimentary summit access and curated opportunities to engage with industry partners.

 

Meet SAESA at C&I Energy + Storage Summit: Join the Hosted Buyer Programme

The Hosted Buyer Programme connects commercial and industrial energy decision-makers with solution providers shaping South Africa’s evolving private energy market.

Qualified energy buyers receive complimentary access to the summit and curated engagement with industry partners exploring energy procurement, storage deployment and project development.

Apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme (https://apo-opa.co/4ehLijJ)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Afreximbank welcomes launch of Africa Credit Rating Agency as an important step in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture

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2 days ago

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October 9, 2026

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Expanding credible rating coverage can improve the information available to investors and support the development of deeper domestic and regional capital markets

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, October 8, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) welcomes today’s launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), an important milestone in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture and expanding the continent’s capacity to generate credible, independent analysis of African credit risk.

 




 
 

Credit ratings play an important role in determining access to capital, influencing investor perceptions and shaping the cost at which governments, institutions and businesses can finance development. It is therefore essential that assessments of African credit risk are independent, rigorous and evidence-based, while reflecting a complete understanding of the structures, institutions and economic realities being assessed.

The establishment of AfCRA adds an important African-led source of credit opinion to the market. Its value will not be measured by whether it produces more favourable ratings, but by the credibility of its analysis, the quality of its data and transparency of its methodology, and its ability to deepen understanding of African sovereigns, sub-sovereigns and corporate credit.

This is particularly important given that many African issuers remain unrated, while local-currency and sub-sovereign markets continue to have limited rating coverage. Expanding credible rating coverage can improve the information available to investors and support the development of deeper domestic and regional capital markets.

AfCRA must set a new benchmark for the continent, maintain its independence, and remain wholly owned and controlled by Africans

Alongside fellow members of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), Afreximbank has consistently maintained that African Multilateral Financial Institutions should be assessed on the basis of their fundamentals, performance, legal frameworks, mandates and operating models. Ensuring that these institutional characteristics are properly understood is essential to achieving informed, balanced and credible assessments of African risk.

Commenting on the uniqueness of the African market, and need for AfCRA’s rating methodology to reflect this, Mr Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President, Afreximbank, said: “The rating methodology AfCRA develops must recognise the uniqueness of our environment and its institutional structures. The Agency must set its own standards and not follow those set elsewhere — it must build a unique identity that conforms to an ‘African best practice.”

Highlighting the need for the autonomy of the Africa Credit Rating agency as it takes off, Mr Denya added: “Most importantly, AfCRA must set a new benchmark for the continent, maintain its independence, and remain wholly owned and controlled by Africans. We must all use it, and in return expect a complete assessment of where we (Africa) stand: the strengths the market has ignored, and the weaknesses we still need to fix.”

AfCRA should therefore be seen as complementary to existing international and regional rating agencies, broadening the range of credible analysis available to investors and issuers while strengthening competition, transparency and analytical capacity within Africa’s credit markets.

As Africa seeks to mobilise the scale of capital required for industrialisation, trade, infrastructure and economic transformation, credible African institutions that improve information, strengthen market confidence and deepen the continent’s financial markets will become increasingly important.

Afreximbank congratulates the African Union, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and all those involved in bringing AfCRA from concept to launch, and looks forward to the contribution the Agency will make to deeper, more transparent and more efficient African capital markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 




 

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