Nigerians Report Online: Kenya

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Monday, October 23, 2023

Official Selection of the 12th Annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF)

AFRIFF 2023 Official Selection

About AFRIFF

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is the largest annual film festival in Africa, dedicated to showcasing exceptional African cinema and nurturing emerging talent. With a diverse range of films from across the continent, AFRIFF provides a platform for cultural exchange and celebrates the rich heritage of African storytelling.

Source

https://www.afriff.com/officialselection

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

3 Important Achievements of Netflix in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria

3 Important Achievements of Netflix in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria

Netflix has supported the creation of over 12,000 jobs and generated $218 million to the GDPs of South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, where they are operational.

Netflix has funded economic activity which created over $44 million in tax revenue and an increase of over $200 million in household income.

Netflix is investing more in Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry than Amazon.

#Netflix
#SounthAfrica
#Kenya
#Nigeria
#Nollywood
#investment
#Amazon
#filmindustry

Monday, May 15, 2023

Nigeria: Spyware Attacks on organisations in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria Increased in Q1 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Spyware attacks on organisations in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria increased in Q1 2023

Spyware continues to be a threat to users of different types of devices, including thin clients.

Access Multimedia Content

https://kaspersky.africa-newsroom.com/press/media/spyware-attacks-on-organisations-in-south-africa-kenya-and-nigeria-increased-in-q1-2023?lang=en

LAGOS, Nigeria, May 15, 2023/ -- As discussed during the recent Kaspersky Cyber Security Weekend – META 2023 (www.Kaspersky.co.za), for the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2023) the share of users attacked1 with spyware in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria increased steadily. Kaspersky recorded an increase of 18,8% in South Africa, 12,9% in Kenya, and 14,6% in Nigeria from Q4 2022 to Q1 2023. Spyware continues to be a threat to users of different types of devices, including thin clients.

Thin clients are used in corporate networks around the world to set up workspaces at a much lower cost than when using traditional laptop or desktop computers (thick clients). A thin client on a traditional operating system (OS), Linux or Windows-based, could potentially be targeted by different types of attacks, including spyware. A compromised thin client could serve as an entry point to the corporate network, and it could be used to gain access to confidential data, take control over other machines on the network, or run malicious software, etc. According to Kaspersky, there are over 60 vulnerabilities in thin clients that could be used by cybercriminals.

Victor Ivanovsky, KasperskyOS Business Development Lead.

In response to advancing cyberthreats, Kaspersky promotes the Cyber Immune approach. The Kaspersky Secure Remote Workspace solution offers a manageable and functional thin client infrastructure that is built according to the secure-by-design principle and the Cyber Immune approach that makes them more resilient to cyberattacks in comparison to traditional thin clients. Together with Centerm, a global producer of thin clients, Kaspersky produces the KTC (Kaspersky Thin Client) – the world's first thin client with Cyber Immunity that requires no additional antivirus protection tools. At the core of the solution lies KasperskyOS, a microkernel operating system. KTC excludes the possibility of exploiting a wide range of vulnerabilities common in traditional thin clients. Another component of the solution – the unified management console – solves the problem of managing and monitoring thin client infrastructure.

Kaspersky Secure Remote Workspace is suitable for many areas where a large number of workstations with similar tasks and a standard set of applications are used: the public sector, educational institutions, manufacturing and production plants, fuel and energy sector, healthcare, financial organisations, retail, and others.

“Thin clients have gained popularity over the last few years, especially after the pandemic, as organisations were seeking cost effective ways of setting up remote workplaces. It is also believed by many that they are secure to use and less vulnerable to malware than traditional machines. However, this belief is nothing more than a myth: thin clients running traditional operating systems are vulnerable, and our internal research shows that they can be hacked with a simple tool in under 10 minutes and be used to spy on users and/or access confidential data,” comments Victor Ivanovsky, KasperskyOS Business Development Lead. “We believe that the future of thin client development should be determined by Cyber Immunity. Attacks on a Cyber Immune system are ineffective - they continue to function even in an aggressive environment and stop potential attackers in their tracks.”

[1] All of these attacks were blocked by Kaspersky.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.

For further information please contact:

Nicole Allman | INK&Co.

nicole@inkandco.co.za

Social Media:

Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/3M3uy0L

Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/3OaLeGw

YouTube: https://apo-opa.info/41wO7V6

Instagram: https://apo-opa.info/42BZnRq

Blog: https://apo-opa.info/42Apbxn

About Kaspersky Secure Remote Workspace:

Kaspersky Secure Remote Workspace (KSRW) is a solution for building a Cyber Immune, managed and functional thin client infrastructure based on the microkernel operating system KasperskyOS for secure connection to remote desktops. Thin clients as part of the solution are based on Cyber Immunity – Kaspersky’s own approach to creating IT solutions with built-in protection against cyber threats.

In 2022, Kaspersky Secure Remote Workspace received the World Leading Internet Scientific and Technological Achievements award. It is awarded to significant scientific and technological achievements in the field of information technology, innovative solutions and developments. The jury includes Turing Award winners, members of the Academia Europaea, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

About Kaspersky

Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure, governments and consumers around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading endpoint protection, specialized security products and services, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. Over 400 million users are protected by Kaspersky technologies and we help over 220,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.Kaspersky.co.za.

SOURCE

Kaspersky

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Rolls-Royce Plc Announces New Leadership for Africa

PRESS RELEASE

Rolls-Royce Plc Announces New Leadership for Africa

John will assume group-wide leadership and representation for the Group’s Civil Aerospace, Power Systems and Defence businesses across the META region.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 14, 2023/ -- Rolls-Royce plc (www.Rolls-Royce.com) is delighted to announce the appointment of John Kelly to the position of President – Middle East, Türkiye and Africa (META), with immediate effect.

Before this role, John spent six years as Senior Vice President of Europe, the Middle East and Africa for the Group’s Civil Aerospace business.

John joined Rolls-Royce over twenty years ago, in 2001, as a graduate trainee in the Defence business. He rose to become a senior manager before joining Civil Aerospace.

In his new role, John will assume group-wide leadership and representation for the Group’s Civil Aerospace, Power Systems and Defence businesses across the META region, engaging with senior government and industry stakeholders.

Rolls-Royce develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land and employs over 150 people across Africa with an extensive reach across the region.

Rolls-Royce Civil Aerospace serves over 20 African airline customers across 15 countries. The company has over 50% market share in powering the African widebody aircraft market, with engines installed on over 80 widebody aircraft in service and another 30 on order. Since 2017, the company has supported the inception of three new airlines and delivered over 30 new aircraft. Rolls-Royce also powers a large proportion of the regional aircraft market, with over 95 aircraft in service.

Rolls-Royce Power Systems Africa provides world-class power solutions and complete life-cycle support and is headquartered in South Africa. The company supports Africa’s growing power generation, marine, rail and industrial sectors, providing vital power solutions to datacentres, mining, oil and gas, shipping, locomotive and agriculture companies across the continent.

Rolls-Royce Defence innovates power and propulsion solutions to meet operational requirements to protect, secure and explore. The company works closely with several African Governments, serving many defence forces.

John Kelly said: “Africa is the world’s second-most populous continent and on target to become the first to grow its economies solely through modern technologies and sustainable low-carbon energy sources. This rapidly developing and innovative region is vital to Rolls-Royce’s future. I will aim to ensure we build upon our foundations while supporting transformative economic growth, climate resilience and an energy transition that is right for Africa.

While we are renowned for excellence in civil aerospace, we will leverage opportunities for all the Rolls-Royce businesses, providing safety-critical power and propulsion solutions for Africa’s major infrastructure projects and industrial customers. Our technology can play a fundamental role in enabling the transition to a low carbon global economy.”

With bold ambitions for the future, John is committed to growing partnerships across Africa, reflecting Rolls-Royce’s core engineering and technological innovations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Rolls-Royce.

For further information, contact:

Lydia-Claire Halliday, LCH Consultancy & Associates

Tel: +254708000510 / +447502000943

Email: lydia@lchconsultancy.com

About Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc:

1. Rolls-Royce develops and delivers complex power and propulsion solutions for safety-critical applications in the air, at sea and on land. Our products and service packages enable our customers to connect people, societies, cultures and economies together; they meet the growing need for power generation across multiple industries; and enable governments to equip their armed forces with the power required to protect their citizens.

2. Rolls-Royce has customers in more than 150 countries, comprising more than 400 airlines and leasing customers, 160 armed forces and navies, and more than 5,000 power and nuclear customers. We are committed to making our products compatible with net zero carbon emissions to meet customer demand for more sustainable solutions.

3. The annual underlying revenue was £12.69 billion in 2022, and the underlying operating profit was £652m.

4. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is a publicly traded company (LSE: RR., ADR: RYCEY, LEI: 213800EC7997ZBLZJH69)

www.Rolls-Royce.com

SOURCE

Rolls-Royce

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Kulture Wave Beauty by Cardi B Joins Fight Against Skin Bleaching in Africa

PRESS RELEASE

Kulture Wave Beauty by Cardi B Joins Fight Against Skin Bleaching in Africa

In collaboration with UNESCO, Cardi B's Skincare brand is set to mitigate the devastating effects of trends in skin bleaching in the tropical regions of Africa

Access Multimedia Content

LOS ANGELES, California, March 8, 2023/ -- Kulture Wave Beauty by Cardi B, a leading beauty brand, announced today its commitment to fighting against the practice of skin bleaching in Africa. Skin bleaching, also known as skin lightening or whitening, is a dangerous trend that has become prevalent in many African countries, where it is associated with beauty and social status.

Edith F. Gibson

Are you tired of seeing harmful skin-bleaching products advertised and promoted to achieve "beauty" in Africa? The popular rapper has recently announced the projected launch of her own line of skincare products that are designed to celebrate melanin-rich skin and discourage people from using dangerous chemicals on their bodies. In this article, we'll dive deeper into why Cardi B's brand is such a game-changer for African beauty standards and how it can help steer the conversation away from harmful beauty practices.

Kulture Wave Beauty by Cardi B believes that all skin colors are beautiful and aims to promote self-love and confidence through its products. The brand's decision to act against skin bleaching in Africa is part of its larger mission to empower women and promote positive body image. By joining forces with UNESCO alongside Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame. The country has enforced a ban on skin-lightening products with the president stating “these practices are quite unhealthy among other things. Includes use of prohibited chemicals.”

While other administrations such as Ghana followed suit on Rwanda’s efforts the country too has issued its own ban on skin-lightening products. The acting chief executive of the authority, Mimi Darko said “Ghana has banned these types of products, there will be no importing of such harsh and damaging products to this country.”

It is no secret that skin bleaching is a big problem in Africa. According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, an estimated 77% of women in Nigeria use skin-lightening products. This number is even higher in other countries like Togo (88%), South Africa (80%), and Senegal (59%).

"I'm proud to be part of a brand that stands for inclusivity and celebrates diversity. Skin bleaching is a harmful practice that perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards and can have severe health consequences," said Cardi B, CEO of Kulture Wave Beauty. "We want to help women embrace their natural beauty and feel confident in their own skin."

Why Kulture Wave Beauty is different.

Cardi B's skincare brand, Kulture Wave Beauty, is partnering with UNESCO to help mitigate the devastating effects of skin bleaching in tropical regions of Africa. Skin bleaching is a dangerous and harmful practice that can lead to serious health problems, including cancer. Kulture Wave Beauty's line of natural and safe skincare products will help to combat the harmful effects of skin bleaching and promote healthy skin practices in Africa. This partnership is an important step in raising awareness about the dangers of skin bleaching and promoting healthy skin care habits in Africa.

Kulture Wave Beauty is a beauty brand founded in partnership with the Grammy-winning artist Cardi B and KWBI Management, LLC. The brand offers a range of high-quality six-phase skincare product line that is designed to celebrate diversity and promote self-love.

Cardi B has launched her beauty line and is using it to combat the harmful practice of skin bleaching in Africa through a partnership with Delight Cosmeceutical Labs (https://apo-opa.info/3mCVkUB), which formulates the products for the skincare brand. The lab's leading esthetician, Edith F. Gibson, has a 5-year contract to work with the UNESCO field office in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to combat the practice of skin bleaching.

The line, called Kulture Wave Beauty, includes a range of products designed to nourish and protect the skin. The products are made with patented scientific technology and natural ingredients which are free from harmful chemicals.

Cardi B is committed to helping women of all colors feel beautiful in their own skin. She hopes that by offering a quality alternative to skin bleaching products, she can help put an end to the dangerous practice.

Kulture Wave Beauty will be available online, and in-store and will be expanding to stores across Africa in the near future. The line is set to be released in Six separate phases.

UNESCO Partnership Objective:

The problem with skin lightening in Africa is that there are several reasons why women bleach their skin. Many believe that it will make them more attractive to men, while others think it will help them get ahead in life. Some simply want to fit in with society's standards of beauty. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that skin bleaching is extremely harmful to your health.

Bleaching agents contain toxic chemicals that can damage your skin and lead to several health problems. These include liver damage, kidney failure, cancer, and even death. In addition, bleaching your skin makes you more susceptible to sun damage and can cause premature aging.

"We believe that by working together, we can create a world where all women feel empowered and beautiful, regardless of their skin color," said Cedric Yengo the Chairman for KWBI Management (www.KWBIManagement.com). "We hope that our commitment to this cause will inspire others to join the fight against skin bleaching in Africa."

If you're considering bleaching your skin, we urge you to think twice about it. There are plenty of other ways to achieve the look you desire without risking your health in the process. This partnership is set to achieve the following.

1. To initiate the creation of networking systems to mitigate the devastating effects of trends in skin bleaching in the tropical regions of Africa.

2. To expose scientific technology and a better approach to tropical skincare for stakeholders in the field while reiterating the need for further research and training of more professionals.

3. To raise awareness of the wealth of biodiversity of tropical regions of Africa and its potential to benefit local communities in and around biospheres.

Kulture Wave Beauty by Cardi B is an inspiring initiative and a huge step forward toward fighting skin bleaching in Africa. The fact that such influential public figures like Cardi B are taking a stand against this issue sends out a powerful message of hope to people all over the world. Kulture Wave Beauty also serves as a reminder that we need to respect each other's differences and embrace our uniqueness, no matter what it may be. It’s important for us to keep talking about this issue so that more people can become aware of its consequences, for only then will the real change begin to happen.
KWBI Management, LLC.

For more information about Kulture Wave Beauty by Cardi B and its commitment to fighting against skin bleaching in Africa, please visit the brand's website at www.KWBIManagement.com

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of KWBI Management,LLC.

Disclaimer:
The information contained in this release is as of March 2023. The content is for information purposes and as such, should not be construed as legal, tax investment, financial, or other advice. The release contains forward-looking statements.

Media Contact:
Cedric Yengo
Kulture Wave Beauty by Cardi B
press@kwbimaangement.com
775.260.3119

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Partech Africa Report: Resilient African Tech Ecosystem Still Growing with $6.5 Billion Raised in 2022

PRESS RELEASE

Presenting the 2022 Partech Africa Report: Resilient African Tech Ecosystem Still Growing with $6.5 Billion Raised in 2022

Partech Africa, the VC fund dedicated to technology startups in Africa, has issued its annual report on Africa Tech Venture Capital

DAKAR, Senegal, January 24, 2023/ -- Amid the drastic pullback in global VC funding, the African tech ecosystem stands out with +8% growth from 2021. Debt funding doubled in volume to $1.5B, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total funding. Fintech, still leading, attracted 39% of the total equity volume; Nigeria retained the top spot with 23%

Partech Africa, the VC fund dedicated to technology startups in Africa, has issued its annual report on Africa Tech Venture Capital. The report, which aims to provide a practical picture of the state of the ecosystem, revealed that despite the global VC downturn, the African tech ecosystem grew faster than all other markets globally.

Total funding invested into tech startups on the continent reached $6.5B, an increase of 8% vs 2021, spread across 764 deals - compared to 724 rounds in 2021. The report, consisting of disclosed and confidential deals, saw debt funding more than double in volume, reaching $1.55 billion through 71 deals [65% YoY growth]. In comparison, equity rounds showed a slight decline, as 653 African tech startups raised $4.9B [-6%] in 693 equity rounds [2% YoY growth].

Focusing on the equity funding, the report revealed the ecosystem was still accelerating during Q1 and Q2 of 2022 compared to 2021, with the YoY comparison showing Q1 and Q2 at +127% YoY and +83% YoY, respectively. However, the global VC slowdown stifled growth in activity in Q3 [-65% YoY] and Q4 [-35% YoY]. In 2022, fundraising activities remained flat across all stages. At $1.4M, Seed+ ticket sizes averaged higher in 2022 [+12% YoY], while Series A remained the same at $8.5M. Later stages reverted to 2019 levels, as Series B and Growth round sizes dropped by -23% and -50% YoY, respectively. In addition, 2022 witnessed a significant reduction in the number of megadeals [over 100M], with only seven deals compared to 14 in 2021.

Speaking on the launch of the annual report, Tidjane Deme, General Partner at Partech, said: "2022 was a particularly challenging year for the venture ecosystem worldwide, as venture and growth investors scaled back their investment by a third. However, by comparison, our report revealed the African tech ecosystem showed great resilience, as more investors have doubled their commitment to the continent by investing in local teams and funds dedicated to the market, which is proving to be the best way forward.”

Overall, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and Kenya remain the top investment destinations in Africa, with a share of total volume staying relatively steady at 72%. Nigeria retained the top rank, bringing in $1.2B in capital, despite a decline of 36% from 2021; South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya each attracted over $0.7B in funding, with Ghana completing the top 5 with just over $0.2B. Overall, 28 countries attracted equity funding in 2022, 13 of them in Francophone Africa..

In light of the market downturn, the report’s findings also revealed that Fintech, which has historically attracted sizable investments, was the most impacted by the slowdown in the number of large rounds. However, fintech remains the most funded sector in Africa, and this across all sources of capital, with 39% of the total equity volume [$1.9B] and 45% of the total debt volume [$691M]. Other sectors have experienced substantial growth and gained a meaningful share of the equity funding activity this year, most notably Cleantech, which made a big comeback with 18% of total equity funding at $863M [+347% YoY] but also 39% of the total debt funding at $605M.

The report's findings also show:

Female-founded startups raised 22% of all equity rounds in 2022, up 2 percentage points from 20% in 2021. They also contributed $644 Million or 13% of the total equity funding, down 3 percentage points from 16% in 2021.

Outside of the top 4 countries, Ghana ($202 million), Algeria ($150 million), Tunisia ($117 million) and Senegal ($105 million) were the only other countries that broke the $100M funding mark.

Despite a slowdown in the growth rate of equity investors, Africa’s tech ecosystem attracted 1,149 unique investors for the first time [+29% YoY in 2021]. African tech has seen more investors committed, with 89 participating in 5 or more deals (compared to 65 investors in 2021).

The number of debt investors active on the continent is growing 2.5x YoY, with a good mix of local debt institutions, international lenders with emerging market vehicles and Development Finance Institutions.

Cyril Collon, General Partner at Partech, added: “Much of our methodology has remained the same over the years, and we, therefore, can provide a snapshot of how the African continent has evolved over the years. Nigerian and the fintech vertical have remained at the top spot; however, in an environment where equity funding is more challenging, debt has proved to be a solid alternative source of African tech startups in 2022, which signals a maturity within each sector.”

Headquartered in Dakar, Partech Africa is the largest VC fund dedicated to technology startups in Africa. With a focus on Late Seed, Series A and B equity rounds in startups which are changing the way technology is used across multiple sectors, including education, mobility, finance and healthcare, the VC has, to date, invested in 17 African startups, such as Wave (http://bit.ly/3J9lGqy) and TradeDepot (http://bit.ly/3R2IgD9). Using the same methodology as previous years, the seventh Partech Africa annual report on African tech start-ups only includes equity rounds where the total amount is higher than US$200K.

To download the full ‘2022 Africa Tech Venture Capital’ report, click here (https://bit.ly/3R5mChF).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Partech Partners.

For media inquiries:

Isabelle Tresson: +33 7 86 08 85 85

itresson@partechpartners.com

About Partech Africa:

Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, Partech Africa is the largest VC fund dedicated to technology startups in Africa. Partech Africa focuses on series A and B equity rounds in startups which are changing the way technology is used in education, mobility, finance, healthcare, delivery, energy, etc.

About Partech:

Born in San Francisco 40 years ago and now headquartered in Paris, Partech is one of the most active tech investors in the world, bringing together capital, operational experience, and strategic support for entrepreneurs at seed, venture and growth stages. The company manages more than €2.5B and its current portfolio includes 210 companies in 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the US.

www.PartechPartners.com

SOURCE

Partech Partners

Thursday, June 17, 2021

Africa: Canon Gets Closer To Inspire Creative Communities Across Africa

Amine Djouahra, Sales and Marketing Director – Canon Central and North Africa (Source: Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA)

PRESS RELEASE

Canon gets closer to inspire creative communities across Africa

Canon Central and North Africa is inviting film and photography communities to get closer and announce collaborations with creative communities in Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 16, 2021/ -- Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (www.Canon-CNA.com) is inviting film and photography communities across Africa to connect and collaborate. They are excited to announce the first three: SYNC School in Cairo, Egypt; Peexoo, a Nigerian photography hub, and the Photographers’ Association of Kenya (PAK). More are welcome as the global imaging leaders would like to develop creative collaborations in every country in the region.

Canon has been a long-standing supporter of film and photography education groups. These relationships can now go deeper by sharing Canon expertise, knowledge and technology, with regular masterclasses, training opportunities, photo booths and competitions.

Canon is committed to build closer ties with its customers and the collaborations are a way to inspire and enrich the next generation of image-makers. “Our mission is to empower people to see the bigger picture, on a grand yet local level,” explains Amine Djouahra, sales and marketing director for Canon Central & North Africa. “In this rapidly changing, image-based culture, we want to explore new and innovative ideas with a wider audience.”

There has been an enthusiastic response: “SYNC is a community based school of 94,000 for creatives in Egypt with photographers, filmmakers and content creators. We are thrilled to build this relationship with Canon and learn, grow and create together,” said SYNC’s founder and creative director, Mustafa Sharara.

Peexoo, a photography hub powered by artificial intelligence, brings together 2,000+ photographers and videographers from across Nigeria. “We change perceptions through film and photography,” said Peexoo Co-Founder, tech-preneur Steven Kelechi Nwadike. “We are ecstatic that Canon is joining us on this journey.”

The Professional Photographers’ Association of Kenya (PAK) is the leading photographic society in the country, representing professionals, amateurs and hobbyists. “We are proud to partner with Canon at this time, a collaboration which will uplift, inspire and encourage our photographic community,” said Victor Otieno, PAK Treasurer.

Through the collaborations, community members gain exclusive access to masterclasses with Canon ambassadors including Emmanuel Oyeleke (https://bit.ly/3xpFaOD) and Yagazi Emezi (https://bit.ly/2SHkx1A) who will present a masterclass to Peexoo members and Menna Hossam (https://bit.ly/3vvefzE) who will present “Fine art and fashion photographer: Challenges of this genre & the future of creating enchanting images in the era of social media”, to SYNC School members.

Regular competitions will be used to challenge and inspire with exciting prizes such as Canon’s mini phone-to-printer Zoemini, the portable Selphy and the G-Series printers, as well as a compact Powershot SX720 and mirrorless M50 cameras.

Hands-on ‘touch and try’ sessions with cutting-edge Canon R system technology, EOS cameras and lenses are in the plan with special, members-only discounts available on Canon equipment.

Canon’s interest in developing and recognising excellence both in amateur and professional photographers goes beyond this. The Canon Future Focus programme for students is in its fifth year and the inaugural Redline Challenge for amateur photographers received great response in entries from African region.

“We believe in enriching local creatives and welcome the opportunity to connect and support the next generation of visual storytellers. By investing expertise, technology and opportunities in them, we hope to enhance their art, skills and future careers,” said Amine Djouahra.

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

Media enquiries, please contact:

Canon Central and North Africa

Mai Youssefe.

Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

APO Group - PR Agency

Rania ElRafie.

Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

About Canon Central and North Africa:

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2015 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region - by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.

For more information: Canon-CNA.com

SOURCE

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA)

Monday, September 19, 2011

IBM Boosts Africa Expansion With New Angola Office

19 Sep 2011 11:00 Africa/Lagos

IBM Boosts Africa Expansion With New Angola Office
New subsidiary demonstrates company's increased footprint in key growth markets

PR Newswire

LUANDA, Angola, Sept. 19, 2011

LUANDA, Angola, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced the opening of a new branch office in Luanda, as part of the company's continued geographic expansion to increase its presence in key growth markets in support of its global strategy.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110919/NY69873-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110919/NY69873-b )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO )

The Angolan arm is part of a broad programme of investment that IBM is making in Africa and follows the recent opening of new locations in Dakar, Senegal and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This gives IBM a direct presence in more than 20 African countries, including South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria.

The expanded presence in Angola will enable IBM to increase its level of service to clients and partners across the Central African region and deliver more advanced and high-value solutions across many industries.

IBM already serves a number of key clients in Central Africa, spanning sectors including telecommunications, oil & gas, finance and government. For example in Angola, IBM is working with one of the country's major banks to help transform the institution's core banking technology infrastructure and support business growth. With a new system based on IBM Power servers and software technologies, the bank has been able to upgrade its banking services.

IBM is also working closely with other local financial institutions and oil & gas companies in Angola to improve the accuracy and security of information in the country.

"Expanding into Angola offers IBM an important business opportunity as we expand our presence throughout the African continent," said Bruno Di Leo, General Manager, IBM Growth Markets. "This demonstrates IBM's commitment to expand into new markets to provide innovative solutions for our clients and partners. Luanda is one of more than 230 IBM branch offices across 55 growth market countries."

IBM is also engaged in an active programme of corporate citizenship across Africa. Since 2008, IBM has deployed 250 of its most talented employees on projects in Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Morocco and Egypt helping to solve local problems with the aim of fostering economic development and job creation.

"By opening a direct presence in Angola and many other markets on the African continent, IBM overcomes one of the biggest barriers to entry in Africa, namely being able to offer local support and insights to their clients and business partners," says Hannes Fourie, Senior Analyst IDC, Middle East and Africa.

The Luanda office is part of IBM's Central Africa operations and will complement IBM's other branch offices in the region. IBM has supplied products and solutions to Central Africa since the 1940's, and IBM equipment was installed in Angola by the company known as Benguela Railways in 1955.

The new office was inaugurated this week at a ceremony for customers, business partners and government officials in Luanda.

About IBM
For more information on IBM, please visit:
http://asmarterplanet.com/blog/2011/06/ibm-in-africa.html

Contacts:
Arlene Wainstein
IBM External Relations, Middle East & Africa
33 (0) 1 5875-5951
Mobile: 33 (0) 672 759574
arlenewainstein@fr.ibm.com

Marie-Anne (Kui) Kinyanjui
IBM External Relations, Growth Markets Unit
254 20 283 4000
Mobile: 254 721 676 543
mariekin@ke.ibm.com

SOURCE IBM

Web Site: http://www.ibm.com

Saturday, July 23, 2011

UNICEF: Horn of Africa is a "Crisis for Child Survival"

Hunger is eating up the poor children in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya while children in America and other developed nations are over fed and obese.

~ Orikinla Osinachi, Nigerian poet and blogger

22 Jul 2011 16:15 Africa/Lagos

UNICEF: Horn of Africa is a "Crisis for Child Survival"
Children's agency massively scaling up operations to respond to urgent needs

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, July 22, 2011

NEW YORK, July 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With famine now declared in two regions of Southern Somalia and malnutrition rates at emergency levels in arid and semi-arid regions across the Horn of Africa, nearly 720,000 children are at risk of death without urgent assistance. In total 2.23 million children in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia are estimated to be acutely malnourished.

"This summer has been an unspeakable nightmare for millions of children in the Horn of Africa," said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl Stern. "We cannot control the weather patterns that have led to drought and famine, but we can do something about helping those who suffer from it. The sooner we act, the more children's lives can be saved. As little as $10 can feed a child for 10 days."

So far this month, by plane, truck and ship, UNICEF has delivered 1,300 metric tons of life saving supplies to some of the hardest hit areas in southern Somalia, including enough therapeutic supplies to treat over 66,000 malnourished children. In the next few months, UNICEF will expand supplementary feeding to reach 240,000 children and expand as quickly as is possible to reach more children and their families. $1.2 million in UNICEF emergency supplies have been dispatched to the Somali region of Ethiopia, and UNICEF has provided partners in Kenya with $1.4 million in supplies for children in camps and drought-affected pastoral areas.

Supplies prepositioned within the region had already been used to reach children in remote drought-affected communities, as well as children in camps for refugees and internally displaced people. UNICEF is working with partners in the field to see how it can expand existing operations and build on opportunities like Child Health days that happen on a regular basis in many parts of the region.

"We are gearing up our logistics to deliver unprecedented supplies of therapeutic and supplementary foods across the Horn," said Shanelle Hall, Director of UNICEF's supply division. "If we are to save lives, we need to act now – to bring in massive quantities of medicines, vaccines, nutrition supplies into the region as quickly as we are able and then get them out to the children who need it most."

"UNICEF is using every means possible to reach every child. There simply can be no compromise on the objective to keep children and their families alive," said Elhadj As Sy, Regional Director for UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa. "Every life must count, and we cannot afford to lose more lives to this crisis."

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets to prevent malaria and essential medicines, including vaccines, are being airlifted to support massive vaccination campaigns that will be conducted over the coming weeks to prevent the outbreak of disease. To expand provision of safe water and access to sanitation, boreholes will be drilled and rehabilitated; water trucking and hygiene activities will be expanded.

"We appreciate the generosity of the international community and those contributions are already making a difference. We urgently need more funds to meet the enormous need. Every minute that they are without lifesaving support is the difference between life and death," Sy said.

UNICEF estimates it will need $100 million over the next six months for a massive scale up of operations to reach children in the drought affected areas with emergency and preventative assistance.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to relief efforts in the Horn of Africa, please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:

Website: www.unicefusa.org/donate/horn
Toll free: 1-800-4UNICEF (1-800-486-4233)
Text: Text "FOOD" to UNICEF (864233) to donate $10
Mail: 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in more than 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress: the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.1 million in 2009. But still, 22,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF

CONTACT: Susannah Masur, +1-212-880-9146, (m), +1-646-428-5010, smasur@unicefusa.org, or Kini Schoop, +1-212-922-2634, kschoop@unicefusa.org, both of U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Web Site: http://www.unicefusa.org

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Movie of the Month: The First Grader

Media Roundtable Discussion with Justin Chadwick, Director of the Movie, The First Grader from George Wada on Vimeo.

Justin Chadwick's remarkable film The First Grader is our movie of the month and when you see it, you would be be thrilled to agree with our choice.

Read the synopsis for a start.

Kenya, 2003: A radio DJ announces that the Kenyan government is offering free primary school education to all. Maruge (OLIVER LITONDO), an 84 year-old villager, hears this and decides he wants to educate himself. Arriving at his local school, with a newspaper clipping about this change in policy, he meetsJane (NAOMIE HARRIS), the school’s principal, and expresses his desire to learn. Her colleague Alfred (ALFRED MUNYUA), in an effort to get rid of him, tells him all pupils need two pencils and an exercise book.

The next day, Maruge returns, telling Jane he wants to learn to read. He has a letter from the “Office of the President” that he wants to understand. Exasperated, she tells him the school already has too many pupils. Later that night, she tells her husband Charles (TONY KGOROGE) about Maruge. Cautious of his own position, working alongside the government in Nairobi, he advises her to fight the battles she can win.
After cutting his trousers and turning them into shorts, Maruge returns to the school again. While Jane tells the school inspector Mr. Kipruto (VUSI KUNENE)on the telephone that she currently has five children to a desk, when Maruge re-appears, she relents. Alfred is reluctant, yet Jane is defiant, claiming Kipruto is not the head of the school. Allowing Maruge into her class, she seats him near the front – after he admits his eyesight is not so good – and begins to teach him, and her other charges, how to write the alphabet.

Plagued by memories of his time in Kenya in 1953, when he fought with the Mau Mau against the British, it even impacts upon Maruge in class, when Alfred scolds him for not keeping his pencil sharp. Made to sharpen it, he breaks down as he recalls a time when the British tortured him – using a sharp pencil brutally thrust into his ear. Apologising to Jane, saying it won’t happen again, Maruge later educates his fellow pupils, patiently explains about the fight for land that he and other Mau Mau undertook and teaching them the word for ‘freedom’.

Resentment brews over Maruge’s education. At home, people shout that he should stay away from the school, while in the playground, covert photographs are taken of him. Soon enough, the story that an old man is going to school hits the radio airwaves. Kipruto arrives, furious that he has learnt in the press that Maruge is attending his school. Jane tells him that Maruge fought against the British. She later learns from Maruge that the same soldiers killed his family.

Desperate to keep Maruge in school, Jane calls Charles, but he advises her not to go over Kipruto’s head. She wilfully ignores him, visiting the head of the education board to plead Maruge’s case. Her protests fall on deaf ears and Maruge is made to attend an adult education centre, where he soon finds himself surrounded by people with no ambitions to learn. He goes to see Jane, telling her he must learn to read because he wants to be able to understand the letter he’s been sent. Refusing to go back to the adult education centre, Maruge nevertheless must say his goodbyes to the children. Yet Jane offers him a reprieve – as her teaching assistant.

As the story breaks, the press descends on the school, surrounding Jane and wanting to question Maruge. He tells the reporters that the power is in the pen.

Nevertheless, his presence in the school is beginning to cause anger amongst the parents of the young pupils. One mother confront Jane, accusing her of seeking fame and fortune from all the attention, while another father proclaims to Alfred that the school is spending too much time on Maruge. Again, Kipruto arrives with the school in chaos, telling Jane that her special pupil cannot stay and that plans are afoot for the government to compensate the Mau Mau.

Resolute, Jane decides to teach Maruge to read after school has finished – despite receiving threatening phone calls. A delegation of politicians arrive at the school, keen to cash in on the free publicity surrounding Maruge, while secretly demanding that Jane cut them in on any money she has received. Events begin to spiral - people attack the school with sticks while Charles receives an anonymous telephone call, noting his wife is now out of control. Jane soon receives a letter that she is to be transferred to a school 300 miles away. Charles tells her that events surrounding Maruge are tearing them apart, explaining that he’s received calls claiming she has been unfaithful.

Jane explains to Maruge that she is being transferred, and then undertakes an emotional goodbye to the children, who all bring her gifts. Meanwhile, Kipruto introduces the class’ new teacher. Enraged, the children padlock the school gate and throw missiles at her and Kipruto. Meanwhile, Maruge travels to Nairobi, heading to the Ministry of Education, where he confronts the board on behalf of Jane, showing them the scars he sustained as a young man tortured by the British.

Jane returns to the school, where Maruge is there to welcome her back. He wants her to read to him his letter, which explains he will be compensated for his time in the prison camps. As the film draws to a close, the radio DJ announces that Maruge – the Guinness Book of Records holder for the oldest person to go to primary school – will speak at the United Nations.

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