Africa: Canon will Launch Two of its Revolutionary Products - EOS R3, EOS R5C to Further Highlight the Company’s Commitment to Introduce a Much Wider Array of Technology Solutions in Africa

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA)

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PRESS RELEASE

Canon will Launch Two of its Revolutionary Products - EOS R3, EOS R5C to Further Highlight the Company’s Commitment to Introduce a Much Wider Array of Technology Solutions in Africa

Canon Central and North Africa announced today of its highly awaited debut R-tour to commence from May 12th in Morocco 

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 12, 2022/ -- In alignment with the company’s philosophy of ‘Kyosei’, that stands for ‘Living and working together for the common good’, Canon (www.Canon-CNA.com) continues to reaffirm its commitment to Africa by operating closer to its customers thereby commencing its much anticipated debut R-tour for Morocco from May 12th, 2022. Canon will launch two of its revolutionary products - EOS R3, EOS R5 C to further highlight the company’s commitment to introduce a much wider array of technology solutions in Africa.

Amine Djouahra Canon’s Sales and Marketing Director (CCNA) at today’s R – Tour in Morocco
(Source: Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) 

Canon Central and North Africa announced today of its highly awaited debut R-tour to commence from May 12th in Morocco, in line with the company’s continued commitment to Morocco, a key country representing one of the important economies in the region. The launch event will witness the official kick-off of Canon’s much-awaited R-tour in Africa and will have Lorenzo Salami - Multitalented Lifestyle and Fashion Photographer, Saab Abid, Morocco’s leading Instagram influencer along with Canon’s Sales and Marketing Director (CCNA) – Amine Djouahra.

As a testament to Canon’s dedication to on-going research and development in ensuring a continuous stream of new products and solutions to meeting evolving needs, Canon’s R-tour will kick-off by introducing two of its ground-breaking products – EOS R3, EOS R5 C and the newly introduced Powershot Zoom to customers and fans in Morocco. The R Tour in Morocco will bring together Pro Specialist Partners, selected professional Photographers, SI-Var Partners, Social media influencers and media, among others to create a truly inspirational platform for its consumers to engage and interact. Post the tour, Canon envisions to continue engaging with end-users through a series of events including Photo walks, Masterclasses, Competitions, and Generation R Community events among others.  The tour will also provide Canon fans to test-drive Canon products by physically touching and trying them on the spot.

Closer to Customer

“Morocco is a key market for us, and we are committed to bring innovative digital technologies to the country in a bid to underpin its digital transformation journey. The R-tour is a series of special events that enables us to put our consumers and fans in the driving seat, they get to test and try our products, participate in events, engage with industry professionals and more. We foresee the R-tour as a strong channel for us to get another step closer to our customers in Morocco by driving meaningful conversations across various touchpoints. As an ode to our commitment to the people in Morocco, we are also launching our best of the breed products to enable photographers and filmmakers in bringing their stories to life in the most versatile manner possible. We are thrilled for the R-tour to kick-off in Morocco and directly engage with our valuable customers and fan-base there,” said Amine Djouahra, Director of Sales and Marketing, Canon Central and North Africa.

Canon has been represented in Morocco since 2009 through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the country. Through the launch of its new products incorporating cutting-edge and world-class technology, Canon aims to be part of Morocco’s digital transformation journey by elevating the imaging technology sector in the country. Canon’s relentless pursuits in enhancing the local distribution network in Morocco, supported by partners as well local Canon employees in-country, has been the driving force in successfully implementing the company’s closer to customer strategy.

Interact and Engage

To further encourage interaction and engagement amongst consumers and attendees of Canon’s R-tour, the company has gone one step ahead and created experiential booths to maximize the learning opportunities. A total of five different booth set-ups will be installed at the event namely Generation R, Postproduction Set-up, Home zone, Photo studio and Outdoor Aerial act performance with each of these focusing on a particular area of interest. The Generation R booth will highlight the entire lineup of the Full frame mirrorless series along with an experiential set up to allow customers to touch and try the product. Canon’s Generation R community brings EOS R System users together with other creative photographers and experts to pursue and share their passion while exchanging knowledge. The Generation R booth will embody the spirit of this community taking it a notch higher and making the entire experience more personal with the on-ground presence.

The booth for Postproduction Set up will provide cinematographers as well as enthusiasts with a complete line-up of extraordinary products that can dramatically upscale the quality of the video content. Focusing on the essentials of a modern home, the home booth set up will put on display Canon’s stellar line of printers including the famous G-series and megatank printers. The photo studio set-up will take this display of printers a level higher by highlighting the company’s Pro 1000 and Pro 300 and Pixma 640 and other input to output solutions. On the other hand, the Outdoor Aerial Act Performance booth will provide invitees with the exclusive experience of getting their hands on Canon’s EOS R3 to test and try on the spot.

Additionally, the event will also feature a panel discussion amongst the key speakers i.e., Amine Djouahra, Lorenzo Salami and Saab Abid reflecting thoughts and opinions on the significance of content creation in today’s day and age, its contribution to the imaging industry, impact of upcoming content consumption trends on photography and products. The discussion will also touch upon the impact on business as a result of emerging content trends, changes in consumer habits of target audience along with the positive effects of driving higher engagement with consumers through cutting-edge and quality content production. Canon’s Sales and Marketing Director will also take this opportunity to detail out company’s efforts in Africa to generate awareness, education as well as growth opportunities for both business and consumers through its myriad initiatives such as Miraisha programme, Canon Academy workshops, mentorships and more.

Technology that Transforms

Canon offers a comprehensive range of input-to-output solutions, from world-renowned cameras to innovative printers and multi-function printers in Morocco. However, the R-tour will act as a springboard for the company to introduce EOS R3 and EOS R5 C in a manner where people can directly pilot the products on-site. The EOS R3 offers all the familiarity and speed of Canon’s renowned EOS-1 series, with the innovation and versatility of the pioneering EOS R System. With a brand new, innovative 24.1megapixel sensor, the EOS R3 gives an optimal balance of performance, resolution and speed to offer news and sports photographers a camera to outperform and outpace the competition. Likewise, The EOS R5 C is a powerful, hybrid cinema camera which combines the professional filmmaking features of the Cinema EOS range with the EOS R System’s photo capabilities. A high-resolution, full frame CMOS sensor, DIGIC X processor and the RF Mount, are the crucial three elements that enable high fidelity 8K capture, and 45 megapixels still photo capture at burst speeds up to 20 frames per second, all in a single body of the EOS R5 C.

Canon's R-tour in Morocco will kick off today, May 12th, 2022, in Casablanca. The company's next R-tour is scheduled to begin in Egypt on May 23rd, followed by Kenya on June 2nd, 2022, and many more to come in the upcoming months covering the wide African continent. Stay tuned!

Click here (https://bit.ly/3LaGUSe) for more details to join the Generation R Hub community!

Click here to know more about the products- EOS R3 (https://bit.ly/39dngb5), EOS R5 C (https://bit.ly/3ywsbOY) & Powershot Zoom (https://bit.ly/3PsFypA)!

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

Media enquiries, please contact:
Canon Central and North Africa
Mai Youssef
E-mail: Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

APO Group - PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
E-mail: Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

About Canon Central and North Africa:

Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) 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 (https://bit.ly/3M8Nrhz) – ‘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)

Uprisings in North Africa top 17th AU Summit Agenda

1 Jul 2011 19:41 Africa/Lagos


17th AU Summit / Opening of AU summit hears of need to heed lessons from North Africa

MALABO, July 1, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Jean Ping today said the popular uprisings in North Africa should be seen as an opportunity for AU member states to renew their commitment to the AU agenda for democracy and governance and to implement socio economic reforms that are demanded by their people.


Furthermore, the Commission underscored the importance of achieving peace, saying there could be no development otherwise.


Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the 17th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union in Malabo, Dr Ping delivered an impassioned and powerful speech in which he exhorted Africa to speak with one voice in resolving conflicts such as the one in Libya. He stressed that it is the Libyans themselves who should take ownership of the democratic change. The Chairperson commended the efforts of the AU ad hoc committee seeking to find a solution to the Libyan situation. He underscored the role of the Commission in the peace process in Libya, saying the Union's adhoc committee had drawn up a roadmap before the passing of UN resolution 1973.


The Chairperson observed that Tunisia and Egypt had made remarkable progress over the past few months. The two countries, he said, witnessed a new climate of pluralistic debate and freedom, which allows the citizens to be aware and also allows for the consolidation of a democratic culture. He reported that he visited the two countries to assure them of the support of the AU. In addition, the Peace and Security Council of the AU remains seized with the issue. He thanked Tunisia and Egypt for hosting the thousands of refugees who are fleeing Libya.


Mr Ping, who was delivering a review of the situation in Africa from January to December this year, mainly focused on peace and security because the period under review was a difficult one.


He welcomed the impending birth of the new African state of South Sudan, the 54th member of the African Union on 9 July- this coming after the January referendum that confirmed the desire of South Sudan for independence. To applause from the delegates, the Chairperson introduced Mr Salva Kirr Mayardit of South Sudan, who was attending the meeting as an observer, but is to become the President of the new state.

In Somalia, Dr Ping applauded the “sense of sacrifice and commitment” of the troops of the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

He also applauded the end of the crisis in Cote D'Ivoire and welcomed its President to the African Union. He also commended the President for the truth and reconciliation process and said the African Union was one of the first institutions to recognise Mr Outarra's victory.

Mr Ping commended the normalisation of relations between Sudan and Chad, and noted the return of peace to the Comoros, Burundi, Liberia, and Guinea Bissau.


He however lamented the continuing stalemate in Western Sahara and the lack of progress in the normalisation of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the difficulties with Madagascar and Djibouti. “The situations require the attention of the African Union”, he said.


The Chairperson's delivery also gave great importance and recognition to the role played by the African Union and African leaders in the resolution of conflicts. Of note he highlighted the following:

The conclusion of the agreement on security arrangements in Abyei, Sudan, with the facilitation of the AU High Implementation Panel led by former president Thabo Mbeki, and which includes former presidents Abdulsalami Abubakar and Pierre Buyoya.

The offer by Ethiopian Prime Minister Mr Meles Zenawi to make Ethiopian troops available as part of the Interim Force Security for Abyei to facilitate implementation of the agreement

The role played by President Yoweri Museveni in facilitating the Kampala agreement which aims to resolve disputes that pitted Somali leaders against each other

The contribution of the Chairperson of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development Mr Meles Zenawi and his peers in IGAD, in promoting a programme of peace, stability, democracy in Somalia

President Muhamed Ould Abdel Aziz, Yoweri Museveni, Ahmadu Toumani Toure, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and Jacob Zuma were commended for their efforts on Libya as the high level ad hoc committee on Libya.


Deepening of Democracy in Africa

Dr Ping also noted progress on the continent in terms of the elections that have been held in some member states in the past six months, in spite of difficulties and short comings in some instances. These elections, he said, bear witness to a “deepening pluralistic democracy” on the continent. In this respect, he acknowledged Presidents Elhadj Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, Alassane Outarra of Cote D'Ivoire; Yayi Boni of Benin, Goodluck Jonathan Ebele of Nigeria, Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, Yoweri Museveni Yussef of Uganda, James Alix Michel of the Seychelles, and Idriss Deby of Chad.


Work being done in fulfilment of other priority areas of the Commission

On economic integration, Mr. Ping applauded the joint action undertaken by the Community of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (ECA) to create “the biggest free trade area on the continent”.


He referred to the Pan African University as a flagship project. Its formation was approved last May and the first three faculties should be launched in September, the Chairperson said. He also said the Campaign for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality (CARMMA) is picking up, with 29 AU member states having launched the campaign in their countries. With regard to agriculture and the environment, the Chairperson pointed to the progress made in the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), to help ensure food security. 25 member states have signed the CAADP compact. In terms of infrastructure development, Dr Ping said the Commission will continue to give full attention to the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) programme.


Commission's financial situation

With reference to the financial situation of the Commission, Mr. Ping said the Commission continues to ponder over the issue. The AU, he said, needs to be strong and to be provided with the resources it needs to ensure stability and development.


Theme of the summit

Addressing the theme of the summit “accelerating youth empowerment for development”, Mr. Ping said the theme was timely at this crucial moment given their role in the Arab spring. He said the youth should be capacitated so that they can contribute meaningfully to the development of the continent.


Youth are an asset: guest speakers

Deputy United Nations Secretary General Ms Asha Rose Migiro; Mr. Ahmed Ben Helty Deputy Secretary General of the League of Arab States; and Mr. Lula Da Silva, former President of Brazil and special envoy of the Brazilian President also addressed the opening session.

Ms Migiro dwelt on the UN role in support of the AU's efforts in peace and security, democracy and empowerment of African youth.

Mr Ben Helty talked about the great importance of attending to issues of the youth, citing their power to effect change, as evidenced by their central role in the “Arab spring”.

Mr Lula Da Silva motivated the summit by explaining that youth are an asset rather than a problem. He gave concrete examples of the policies he implemented when he was Brazil's President to uplift the youth and the disadvantaged.


Institutionalisation of the AU Youth Charter

Mr. Teodoro Ibiang Nguema, and President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chairperson of the African Union placed emphasis on the need for Africa to fully finance the African Union. In keeping with the summit theme, he proposed the institutionalisation of the AU Youth Volunteer Corp and offered Malabo as the headquarters for such an institution.


Respect for two former presidents

The opening session observed a minute of silence in memory of two former Heads of State: i.e. Ange-Felix Patasse, former President of the Central African Republic and Frederick Chiluba, former President of the Republic of Zambia.


Launch of PATTEC, Central Africa

The session also saw the launching of the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) activities in the Central African region. (see separate press release)


Laying of foundation stone for the African Observatory

There was also a ceremony of the laying of the foundation stone for the African Observatory for Science, Technology and Innovation. (see separate press release)



Source: African Union Commission (AUC)


Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time

1 Jul 2011

19:41 17th AU Summit / Opening of AU summit hears of need to heed lessons from North Africa

17:42 Equatorial Guinea Offers to Host African Union Youth Corps Headquarters

15:26 13 African Nations at “Power Kick for Africa” Conference in Abuja / “Women should be at the Forefront of the Energy Revolution”

14:09 ECOWAS ministers to discuss implementation of African convention on internally displaced persons

FOCUS LIBYA: G8, Gaddafi has to go

30 May 2011 13:32 Africa/Lagos


FOCUS LIBYA: G8, Gaddafi has to go

ROME, May 30, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The violence in Libya and Syria needs to stop but the “Arab Spring” must be helped, starting with support for economic and social development. The G8 Summit in Deauville, the first since the rebellions broke out in North Africa, shone the spotlight on the upheaval on the southern shores of the Mediterranean. It also set up an ad hoc fund to support the region (and more in general the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region).


“Today we launched the ‘Deauville Partnership' with the people of the region, based on our common goals for the future, in the presence of the Prime Ministers of Egypt and Tunisia, the two countries that originated the movement, and of the Secretary General of the Arab League”, reads the declaration on the Arab Spring. “We stand ready to extend this long term global Partnership to all countries of the region engaging in a transition towards free, democratic and tolerant societies (‘Partnership Countries'), beginning with Egypt and Tunisia, in association with countries wishing to support transition in the region”.


According to the Final Declaration, “this Partnership is based on two pillars: a political process to support the democratic transition and foster governance reforms, notably the fight against corruption and the strengthening of the institutions needed to ensure transparency and accountable government; and an economic framework for sustainable and inclusive growth”.


The funds will be delivered through the international financial institutions and multilateral development banks and will be linked to support for development and to the reform effort.


The G8 also calls for the immediate cessation of the use of force against civilians by the Libyan regime forces and a political solution that reflects the will of the Libyan people. It states that Gaddafi and the Libyan government have lost all legitimacy and that the Libyan leader must go. It calls on the Syrian leadership to stop using force and intimidation against the Syrian people and to engage in dialogue and fundamental reforms in response to the legitimate expression of the demands of the Syrian people.


The G8 leaders also appeal for an urgent solution in the Middle East. “We are convinced that the historic changes throughout the region make the solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through negotiations more important, not less. We urge both parties to engage without delay in substantive talks with a view to concluding a framework agreement on all final status issues”.


Source: Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs



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30 May 2011

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Bye, Bye Mubarak

The Egyptian zealots of Tahrir Square have won!

I salute the brave zealots of Tahrir Square in Cairo who stood their ground against the draconian laws of President Hosni Mubarak.

The will of the people of Egypt has prevailed over the evil reign of President Hosni Mubarak as he surrendered and handed over power to military. This is the end of the kleptomaniac government of one of the most corrupt rulers in Africa.

The wind of change began blowing from Tunisia three weeks ago and sent President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali packing. Now the second autocratic government to fall is that of Hosni Mubarak. Who is next?



The wind of change blowing in North Africa will spread to the rest of Africa and will be welcomed in Zimbabwe where the life president Robert Mugabe will either resign in peace or be disgraced out of office.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Protest swells in Cairo

Thousands of anti-government protesters gather in Cairo's Tahrir Square as Egyptian troops bar pro-Mubarak loyalists from entering. Katharine Jackson reports.

© 2011 Reuters

4 Feb 2011 18:10 Africa/Lagos


Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on current the situation in North Africa

GENEVA, February 4, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on current the situation in North Africa


Thank you for coming once again. It is unusual for me to hold two press conferences within a week. This is a reflection of the extreme importance I place on what has been going on in North Africa over the past few weeks, and the ramifications for human rights further afield.


First I would like to make a few comments about what is happening in Egypt, before turning to Tunisia and handing over to my high-level team who have just returned from there.


I last spoke to you about Egypt on Tuesday, before vast and peaceful demonstrations and marches were held in Alexandria, Cairo and other cities. The world has been watching as events have unfolded since.


I warned then, and I reiterate again, that governments must listen to their people and put in practise their human rights obligations. Regimes that deprive people of their fundamental rights, that depend on a ruthless security apparatus to impose their will, are bound to fail in the long-term. Stability depends on the development of human rights and democracy.


Tuesday ended on an optimistic note in Egypt. The peaceful demonstrations showed that the chaos, which some were presenting as the only possible alternative to the existing system, was by no means the inevitable outcome.


The violence we all hoped would not happen, did happen on Wednesday when we saw shocking scenes of opposing groups hurling Molotov cocktails, fire bombs and barrages of large stones at each other. Again, there was a noticeable absence of police, and the army failed to separate the two groups, with tragic consequences.


This violence must stop.


Yesterday President Mubarak gaved a television interview in which he said he would like to step down now, but fears the only alternative would be chaos. In the last two days we have seen chaos in central Cairo, and one of the prime drivers of this chaos seems to have been the actions of Egypt's security and intelligence services.


I urge the authorities to make a strong, clear and unequivocal call on the security and intelligence forces that have protected the authoritarian regime in Egypt for the past 30 years, to stop undermining the security of the state they are supposed to serve.


The Prime Minister has apologized for Wednesday's violence. I welcome this public recognition – unique in Egypt's recent history – that the authorities have failed in their duties to protect the people. I urge Egypt to follow through and make the necessary reforms to promote human rights and democracy. There must be an investigation into whether this violence was planned, and if so by whom. This investigation must be undertaken in a transparent and impartial manner.


Over the past two days, we have learned of other extremely disturbing developments, including the physical assaults on, and intimidation and arbitrary detention of, dozens of journalists in what is clearly a blatant attempt to stifle news of what is going on in Egypt.


We have heard of the harassment and arbitrary detention of local and international human rights defenders, including most notably 20 or more people taken yesterday from the Hisham Mubarak Law Centre by military police. Those detained include some of Egypt's leading activists as well as staff of Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International – two of the most respected international human rights organizations. As of the time I left for this briefing, I understand they had still not been freed from military detention.


All journalists and human rights defenders who were arrested for practicing their professions must be released immediately and unconditionally. The authorities must order their security and intelligence forces to cease this extreme harassment at once.


I also urge the authorities to maintain open communications and internet services, protect media premises, and halt all activities aimed at restricting or manipulating the free flow of information, such as the extraordinary hijacking of Vodaphone's system in order to send propaganda text messages.


Egypt must implement its international human rights obligations and prevent further violence. Protestors must be properly protected, including from each other. The security and intelligence forces must be held accountable. Change is coming to Egypt, as it came to Tunisia, but the violence and bloodshed must stop now.



Governments should listen to their people, and start addressing their human rights deficits immediately. Waiting until unrest actually happens is, as we have seen in Tunisia and are now seeing in Egypt, not only perpetuating systems that to a greater or lesser degree transgress international laws and standards, it is also a classic case of acting too little, too late. We now see there is an intense hunger for human rights in the Middle East and North Africa – and of course in other countries in other regions. Governments who ignore these extremely loud and clear warning signals, are doing so at their own peril.


As in Egypt, human rights are at the heart of the political change that has happened in Tunisia. In Tunisia, people expressed loudly and clearly their appetite for a genuine break with the past and for a new era in their countries. Socio-economic hardship coupled with a denial of human rights and justice were the instigators for the widespread protests in both countries.


My team of senior human rights experts has just returned from visiting Tunisia and the information they received confirmed how integral human rights will be for the construction of the future of this country. They have briefed me on their observations and findings.


I was particularly moved by the words of one man whose 28-year-old son died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest, as he gathered with other young men to protect their neighbourhood from armed militias. Speaking of the death of his son, he told my team that, “there must be sacrifices for there to be change.” His courageous words convey the enormity of the change for ordinary Tunisians and their desire and determination to achieve it despite colossal personal sacrifices and pain. Tunisians are anxious to see the human rights gains of recent weeks reinforced and entrenched in law so that they become a permanent feature of their country.



My team is currently finalizing a written report, based on which I will decide on the best ways in which my Office can provide immediate and more long-term support and assistance to the Tunisian people on a range of human rights issues.



I will now hand over to my team for their direct accounts of what they witnessed in Tunisia over the past week and their impressions.



Source: United Nations - Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)