The investment also includes the installation of a water treatment plant with state-of-the-art water recovery technology, designed to reduce water consumption

WINDHOEK, Namibia, November 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) (www.CCBAGroup.com) has invested $50 million in a new bottling line in Namibia, capable of producing 27,000 bottles per hour. This upgrade will increase the plant’s output capacity by 30% and stimulate growth throughout the company’s value chain.

As a customer-centric, digitally enabled, growth-driven business, we are committed to excellence across our value chain

The investment also includes the installation of a water treatment plant with state-of-the-art water recovery technology, designed to reduce water consumption. Additionally, the integration of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, will require skills training for employees, contributing to the development of a future-ready workforce for both the business and the country.

“We’ve ensured that this production line goes beyond output numbers,” said Pottie de Bruyn, General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Namibia. “It’s about creating shared opportunities across the value chain. The increased production also provides a boost to local businesses that supply us with raw materials and services.”

Sunil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of CCBA, echoed the sentiment, adding, “This investment is a clear demonstration of our continued belief in the future of Namibia.”

Gupta also highlighted CCBA’s broader goals: “As a customer-centric, digitally enabled, growth-driven business, we are committed to excellence across our value chain. Efficient operations allow us to offer faster delivery and superior service. This new production line is another step in our journey to achieve even greater levels of execution excellence.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca Cola Beverages Africa.

The African Roadshow Reaffirms Commitment Towards the Region’s Economic Development 

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

VistaJet (www.VistaJet.com), the world’s first and only global business aviation company, is set to organize its first-ever East and South Africa Static Display Roadshow, showcasing its flagship aircraft, the Bombardier Global 7500. The event will commence in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, followed by a landing in South Africa’s top business centers, Johannesburg and Cape Town.  Nairobi’s positioning as East Africa’s tech and business hub, along with Johannesburg and Cape Town’s role in South Africa’s mature aviation market, have made these cities essential focal points for VistaJet’s growth strategy. The roadshow will engage with prospective and existing clients and the local media, serving as a platform to share VistaJet’s ongoing expansion and dedication to support the region’s economic transformation as set out in the AcFTA agreement. This roadshow follows the monumental success of its West African edition (https://apo-opa.co/3CnKLg3), held earlier in May. 

According to the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), the number of business jets operating in Africa is expected to grow by 8% annually over the next five years. Currently, there are 418 jets on the continent, with South Africa having the largest business aircraft fleet, followed by Kenya and Nigeria. The ongoing growth of private aviation in Africa has also benefited the continent’s employment rates, with air transport contributing significantly to 7.7 million jobs and $63 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).   

Elsewhere, The 2024 Africa Wealth Report by Henley & Partners (https://apo-opa.co/40yhzxc) reveals that the total investable wealth on the African continent stands at US2.5tn and that the millionaire population is expected to increase by 65% over the next ten years, fueled by strong growth in key sectors such as fintech, business process outsourcing, software development, rare metals mining, green tech, media and entertainment, and wealth management. The ‘Big 5’ wealth markets (https://apo-opa.co/40wbGR6) — South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco — collectively account for 56% of Africa’s high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and over 90% of its billionaires.  

VistaJet offers the world’s most extensive range of business jets and in the past 14 years it has built a strong African network, transforming business aviation in the region. During the East and South Africa Roadshow, VistaJet will showcase the Bombardier Global 7500, the largest and longest-range business jet and offers unbeatable global connectivity, flying up to 17 hours non-stop. Vista has 18 in the fleet – the world’s largest fleet of Global 7500. Precision-engineered wings provide an exceptionally smooth ride in the large cabin, with four separate living spaces, including a permanent stateroom, this jet is perfectly suited for business or a family dynamic. In the first half of 2024, across Africa, Vista’s Global 7500 flight hours increased +33% – this aircraft is becoming increasingly more popular across the continent.  The Global 7500 is popular for connecting African cities, such as Cape Town to Accra and Johannesburg to Cairo and international routes such as Africa and Asia, demonstrating a strong sentiment to increasing investment between the African and Asian continents (https://apo-opa.co/4fcKzPk).   

An impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for 20 years has made Vista the largest provider of on demand business flights in the world. And the trajectory is not changing — over the last 18 months, while the private aviation industry as a whole experienced a leveling out in demand following the post-COVID boom, Vista expanded its global footprint and as of July 2024, has gained an additional 50 basis points of total market share year-over-year, with its share of the market rising to approximately 5% of the total market.  With an addressable market of over 24,000 business jets around the globe, as well as broader spectrum of aspirational fliers, there is also significantly more scope and opportunity for the Group to capture further market share over the next two decades.  

VistaJet’s main expansion plan objective is to enhance Africa’s economic growth by increasing regional investments and facilitating overall growth

In 1H 2024, Vista was once again experiencing exceptional growth – with total flight hours up +14% year-over-year – an incredible result, especially when compared to a global market that contracted by 2% over the same period.  

The VistaJet Program membership has been the biggest contributor to this growth, recording +19% growth in Program hours and a +18% increase in number of Members. The first half of 2024 continued this trajectory, marked by: 

• Double-Digit Growth in Flight Hours: Vista recorded a significant increase in flight hours compared to 1H 2023, a direct result of Vista’s strategic foresight and market understanding. 
• Membership Surge: 2024 has seen a substantial Membership growth as clients gravitated towards Vista’s flexible subscription-based model, reinforcing Vista’s client-first approach. 
• Africa Success: The African continent remains a priority market for Vista with impressive growth in the first half of 2024. Africa reported strong flight activity with a +103% increase in the New Program Hours Sold and a +29% increase in total hours flown year-over-year: East Africa specifically experiencing a +46% increase in total hours flown; and South Africa, a +79% increase in total hours flown. 

With over a decade of operations in East and South Africa, VistaJet continues to play a vital role in supporting development in these sub-regions by facilitating global investments and connecting decision-makers, corporations, and business executives. Vista’s global fleet of iconic silver and red jets means its African clients will never be stranded with guaranteed availability in as little as 24 hours’ notice, no matter where they are going in the world. Global coverage, covering 96% of the globe also means knowing how to operate in over 2,700 airports, making journeys to every destination safe and reliable. VistaJet’s flexibility is unparalleled for its expanding African client base.  

Commenting on the business expansion plans, VistaJet’s President of Europe and Africa, Philippe Scalabrini, stated: “Building on the momentum of the West Africa Roadshow, we are pleased to announce the East and South Africa Roadshow.  VistaJet is committed to offering top rate, exclusive services to its extensive client network in this critical region. In response to the growing demand, we have deployed three dedicated aircraft while upholding our exceptional standards. VistaJet’s main expansion plan objective is to enhance Africa’s economic growth by increasing regional investments and facilitating overall growth.” 

VistaJet was founded 20 years ago and has established itself as the world’s leading global business aviation company. With a client base consisting mainly of corporate leaders and Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals, VistaJet aims to simplify air travel by offering privacy, reliability, flexibility, efficiency, anonymity, and safety. The Cabin Hosts, trained by the British Butler Institute and MedAire, deliver the highest service standards.  Flying with VistaJet is a better alternative to ownership – offering a lower cost per hour, and a larger coverage area; as well as preferrable to brokerage – due to higher safety, and unique consistency of service; and often commercial – thanks to scheduling flexibility, and non-stop connections across airports around the world.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VistaJet.

Agile, practical, and with a zoom range that professionals count on, the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is ideal for sport, wildlife, news and hybrid shooting where that extra flexibility and reach is important

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 4, 2024/APO Group/ — 

Canon (www.Canon-CNA.com) today announces three important new additions to its RF series of hybrid lenses; which join an ever-growing range of L-series primes and zooms for the EOS R system. The RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z, RF 50mm F1.4L VCM and RF 24mm F1.4L VCM lenses are part of a new range of hybrid optics that offer essential video features such as a smooth operation iris ring with an 11-bladed circular aperture, fast and effective low light performance as well as advanced optics and minimal focus breathing – features that satisfy the demands of both photographers and videographers. Canon’s pioneering RF lens mount has made this hybrid lens technology possible and reflects the changing needs of the professional as the demand for a lens without compromise drives them to step into both worlds.

Agile, practical, and with a zoom range that professionals count on, the RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z is ideal for sport, wildlife, news and hybrid shooting where that extra flexibility and reach is important. It offers professionals critical filmmaking features such as electronic parfocal performance and focus breathing suppression, plus servo zoom via optional Power Zoom Adapters, a built-in 5.5-stop Optical Image Stabiliser [1] and dedicated Iris Ring [2] for smooth aperture control. The lens is compatible with Canon’s optional RF extenders, too, and for smooth zooming the optional Power Zoom Adapters – PZ-E2 or PZ-E2B – can be used by hand or remotely via Canon’s Camera Connect / EOS Utility applications, Browser Remote function or over IP using Canon’s XC Protocol with compatible cameras. The PZ-E2B’s 20-pin interface also supports Canon’s Zoom Servo Grip for more comfortable control as well as Zoom/Focus demands for more studio-based applications.

The RF 50mm F1.4L VCM offers a very useful focal length and delivers exceptional sharpness and outstanding image quality, along with a pleasingly natural angle-of-view, close to that of the human eye, making it perfect for low light portraits, reportage or weddings and event videos with a cinematic look. It is also 40 percent lighter than the RF 50mm F1.2L USM, which will satisfy creators looking for a fast aperture prime with lightweight handling.

The RF 24mm F1.4L VCM, which is around 20 percent lighter than its EF predecessor, offers a wide focal length making it great for landscapes, architecture and interiors, plus environmental portraits, filmmaking and video interviews where showing the subject in context is important. The two primes are the same size and shape as the rest of the hybrid prime range, making them more convenient to use for video rigging.

The RF 50mm F1.4L VCM and RF 24mm F1.4L VCM are the same size as the other hybrid prime lens in the range – the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM – and both offer a fast f/1.4 aperture, which is a great advantage in low light, and with a Nano USM and Voice Coil Motor [3] the lenses excel with exceptionally fast autofocus and near-silent operation. They are also capable of working in challenging conditions, too, thanks to an L-series design [4] housing high-quality glass elements and a water-resistant rubber on the mount. A fluorine coating on the lens’ first surface prevents dirt sticking to the front elements while a dedicated Lens Control Ring, Iris Ring and customisable Lens Function Button bring advanced levels of personalised control.

Designed to reflect and satisfy the converging videos and stills market, all three of these new hybrid lenses – with their video features such as Iris Ring [2], minimal focus breathing and smooth focus – deliver new levels of creative control, with stunning image quality.

Key features of the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8L IS USM Z: https://apo-opa.co/4fgYBj1

• Essential focal length range with a wide f/2.8 aperture throughout, for a wide variety of shooting scenarios

• Excellent image quality and weather sealing provide added durability – alongside sharp high-contrast images thanks to two Super UD lenses, one UD lens, three aspherical lenses plus ASC and Super Spectra coatings

• Professional electronic parfocal focus capability and focus breathing suppression maintains a consistent field-of-view when shooting movies

• Internal zoom operation means the barrel length is constant, which is better for rigging, weather resistance, and has a smoother operation

• Smooth iris ring operation has 32 steps between stops (no clicks) and a lock release switch for the ‘Auto’ position

• 11-blade circular aperture offers great artistic control of bokeh and highlights

• Choice of white heat-resistant coating or standard black

• Weight 1115g (white), 1110g (black) excluding tripod mount

• Measurements 88.5mm (w) x 199mm (L)

Key features of the Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM  https://apo-opa.co/3YRep6u

• Natural 50mm focal length with a fast f/1.4 aperture is ideal for shooting portraits and videos in low light and video with creative depth-of-field control

• Superb image quality thanks to two aspheric lens elements and a UD lens, plus Super Spectra and ASC coatings for excellent sharpness and contrast. L-series weather-sealing for professional durability in challenging conditions

• Smooth iris ring operation has 32 steps between stops (no clicks) and a lock release switch for the ‘Auto’ position

• 11-blade circular aperture offers great artistic control of bokeh and highlights

• VCM and Nano USM motors provide smooth, fast and quiet autofocus

• Custom button and control ring make it easy for customisation and control over camera settings

• Weight 580g

•  Measurements: Approx. 76.5x 99.3 mm

Key features of the Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM  https://apo-opa.co/3YPVXLh

• Wide 24mm focal length with a fast f/1.4 aperture is ideal for shooting interiors and landscapes in low light and video with creative depth-of-field control

• Excellent image quality is assured thanks to two UD lenses and one aspheric lens, plus Super Spectra, SWC and ASC coatings for superb sharpness and contrast. L-series weather-sealing offers professional durability in challenging conditions

• Smooth iris ring operation has 32 steps between stops (no clicks) and a lock release switch for the ‘Auto’ position

• 11-blade circular aperture offers strong artistic control of bokeh and highlights

• VCM and Nano USM motors deliver smooth, fast and quiet autofocus

• Custom button and control ring make it easy for customisation and control over camera settings

• Rear filter holder on back of the lens brings even greater creative control

• Weight 515 g

•  Measurements: Approx. 76.5x 99.3 mm

For more information about the new hybrid lenses, please visit:

https://apo-opa.co/4fgYBj1
https://apo-opa.co/3YRep6u
https://apo-opa.co/3YPVXLh

[1]  CIPA-2024 standard: At lens centre 5.5-stops, in the yaw/pitch directions at a focal length of 200 mm using an EOS R8.

[2]  Iris ring is inactive for controlling aperture in still photo shooting when using the lens with EOS R system cameras released before May 2024.

[3]  Important: the Voice Coil Motor (VCM) emits a low-level magnetic field. While generally safe to use, we advise consulting your doctor if you have a pacemaker or any other medical device to address any concerns.

[4] Although the lens features dust- and water-resistant construction, this cannot completely prevent dust or water droplets from entering the lens.

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