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Canon’s Most Successful Drupa Ever Demonstrates the Power to Move

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Canon

An astonishing 6,000 visitors explored the multi-sensory, immersive experience in The Core that featured World Unseen, an inclusive photography initiative brought to life by extraordinary, elevated prints

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, July 29, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Canon Central and North Africa (https://www.Canon-CNA.com), leader in imaging solutions, is pleased to report its most successful experience at drupa 2024, the leading trade fair for the printing and graphics industry.

Despite visitor numbers being down on the 2016 edition, customer engagement, investment and visitor interest in Canon’s offerings saw current and potential customers flocking to the Canon stand to find out how the latest printing solutions and support services from Canon and its technology partners could help to sustainably transform their businesses.  

From a sales perspective, the resultant number of leads and revenue generated far outstripped projections for the event. Canon’s unique vision of print’s ‘power to move’ received significant attention from visitors eager to interact with the hands-on print application showcases. An astonishing 6,000 visitors explored the multi-sensory, immersive experience in The Core that featured World Unseen, an inclusive photography initiative brought to life by extraordinary, elevated prints.

Record-Breaking Interest and Investment

Launched at drupa 2024, Canon’s ‘The Power To Move’ campaign sought to demonstrate the power of print to move people emotionally, achieve positive change, and move businesses forward using Canon’s transformative technologies, expertise, and support. Through curated workflows, Canon displayed its latest enabling technologies with partners, demonstrating real-life customer solutions and inspiring visitors.

In the production printing category, customer investment in Canon’s imagePress v1000 and v900 color series, as well as the varioPRINT mono toner devices, significantly exceeded projected numbers. This strong showing underscores toner’s enduring role as the digital printing technology of choice for many print service providers. With around 35 deals signed at the event, Canon’s commitment to innovation across its entire product range was evident, as sales of the Arizona, Colorado and imagePROGRAF large format options also impressively surpassed expectations. This reflects the popularity and growth opportunities of large format outputs, including applications for interior décor, wallpaper, packaging, and fine art. Canon also showcased the new generation of colorWAVE and plotWAVE printers for CAD applications.

Canon partners who attended drupa were impressed by the fact that ours was the third most expansive stand at the event

World Unseen Immersive Experience

The stand also presented visitors with a glimpse of Canon’s key collaboration activities, with the elevated prints (printed on the Canon Arizona) of the World Unseen (http://apo-opa.co/4c28izt) exhibition proving to be extremely popular. This exhibition premiered at GITEX Africa in Morocco and will be presented in several African countries throughout 2024, enabling people from across the region to enjoy the immersive experience. The World Unseen (http://apo-opa.co/4c28izt) exhibition invites visitors – blind, partially sighted, and sighted – to experience photography in a unique, innovative, and immersive way. It is a transformative pathway, offering multi-sensory experiences that connect individuals with powerful images and stories through elevated prints, audio descriptions, soundscapes, and braille, fostering inclusivity and deeper appreciation for diverse perspectives.

The power of partnerships

Several collaborative projects were also showcased in the Printworks area, demonstrating how partnerships have the potential to change perceptions and revolutionise the industry:

  • Creative Futures winner Bower Collective, a UK provider of natural household and personal care products in reusable packaging, illustrated how, when experts from the industry collaborate to develop campaigns, the result is a highly targeted, high-value and successful campaign that meets the complex needs of modern B2C businesses to acquire, nurture and retain business using omni-channel campaigns.
  • The Publishing 2030 Accelerator, born out of the Future Book Forum, a Canon-led industry community initiative, focused on bringing about meaningful progress on sustainability in publishing globally.
  • Canon’s support of various charitable partnerships was highlighted, from the UN SDG Book Club African Chapter to UK charity Topic Heroes. During the show, together with its finishing partners, Canon printed and donated around 10,000 books to organisations around the world. The same number of postcards, posters, and brochures were donated to German non-governmental organisations.
  • In a unique demonstration of how print can be used to meet the modern marketing challenges of retailers, Canon worked with German furniture retailer, POCO to show how programmatic print allows them to reach their target customers and attract them instore through printed products such as wallpaper, window and floor graphics, table tops and furniture liners.
  • Demonstrating its support for diversity within the industry, Canon also hosted a successful ‘Girls Who Print’ networking event.

“Drupa is a flagship event within the global imaging industry, and Canon was pleased to host 40 of our partners and customers from across North, East, and West Africa, showcasing the breadth of our reach within the African continent, at the 2024 edition. For us, it was an opportunity to engage with our stakeholders and the wider global print community and demonstrate the far-reaching impacts of our market-leading portfolio of technologies. We also had the opportunity to share initiatives designed to impact people’s lives. The diverse nature of our delegation – from industry players in the banking and hospitality sectors, to print providers in the higher education and government sectors – demonstrated the wide range of applications our products are used for,” said Amine Djouahra, B2B Business Unit Director, Canon Central and North Africa.

By highlighting actual use cases and through collaborations with numerous technology partners, Canon demonstrated print’s power to captivate and drive change in various ways. Together with its customers and partners, Canon will continue to innovate and shape the future of the imaging industry with innovative business models and new technologies and services.  

“Canon partners who attended drupa were impressed by the fact that ours was the third most expansive stand at the event. They also expressed appreciation at the opportunity to witness Canon’s entire B2B portfolio in action. Not only were they able to experience the new technology hands-on, but they also saw how innovative Canon is, as well as its strong market presence in comparison to its competitors. The entire experience demonstrated Canon’s unwavering commitment to investing in market-leading technology, reflecting its confidence in the African continent and its potential,”

To find out more about Canon at drupa please see: DRUPA 2024: THE POWER TO MOVE – Canon Central & North Africa (http://apo-opa.co/3yeWlbS).

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

Energy

High-Level Minister Roundup to Headline African Energy Week 2026

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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