Canon Central and North Africa (Canon-CNA.com) introduces the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM, a first of its kind hybrid lens designed to capture both stills and video, along with the new Speedlite EL-10 for elevating portraits with controllable lighting. 

Introducing the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM

This hybrid lens empowers creatives with the flexibility needed to reach new levels of artistry and mixed media. Part of an expanding lineup, this single lens performs like two, and is the only RF prime lens with a dedicated iris control ring for video. It also boasts an 11-blade aperture, enabling smooth out of focus areas to separate the subject from the background or foreground, and minimal focus breathing to help videographers avoid visual distractions when pulling focus from one subject to another. Whether capturing an event, such as a wedding, or shooting a street documentary, this hybrid lens provides a seamless experience across both stills and motion.

Whatever the setting or environment, no creative goal is off limits. For moments when a wide angle is needed – whether that’s capturing a group at an event or reportage-style shots on the street – the 35mm focal length offers a sweet spot in perspective. The f/1.4 aperture can be used to control depth of field, guaranteeing brilliant creative performance, even in those low-light moments, such as the golden hour or even a night skyline or dimly lit event. What’s more, the prime lens design of the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM includes the option for both front and rear filters, giving room for extra creative expression.

Designed with the needs of photojournalists and content creators in mind, there is no need to worry about missing a fleeting moment. The fast Nano USM, combined with even faster Voice Coil Motor (VCM) technology, delivers quick and precise focusing for a rapid response as scenes unfold – helpful for shooting fast-paced stills of busy subjects like children or pets, or capturing the action smoothly on video. On top of this, the dedicated Lens Control Ring and customisable Lens Function Button allows photographers and videographers to stay fully immersed in the unfolding action when adjusting settings.

Those looking to shoot in more challenging environments can rely on the L-series design housing. A fluorine coating repels dirt and sand from sticking to the front and the light design (lighter than the EF predecessor) makes for comfortable shooting for long periods in the field. In addition, thanks to aspheric and UD lens elements, with Super Spectra and ASC coatings, users can enjoy crystal clear images without the worry of flare and ghosting – even in the brightest of sunshine.

Introducing the Canon Speedlite EL-10

Lightweight, compact, and affordable to help photographers get even more creative, Canon has introduced a new Speedlite to the EL range. With category-leading 1.5 second recharge time, the Speedlite EL-10 has seamless integration with features such as linked custom modes and remote flash control.

The shooting experience is now smoother and easier than ever thanks to the multifunction shoe interface that allows for enhanced communication. The linked custom shooting modes support changing scenarios such as moving from sunlight to shadow on an outdoor shoot, or when working with changing colour tones when shooting fashion. Settings can be changed remotely through the Camera Connect smartphone app, with the camera and Speedlite responding together.

24-105mm of zoom coverage and a versatile power range help aspiring content creators to take control of their lighting and give images a professional gloss – whether that be maximising a glimmer in the eye of the subject or manipulating soft flash for a moody portrait. The Speedlite EL-10 is lightweight at 284g and powered by four AA batteries, making it perfect for everyday use.

Through the versatility, flexibility and seamless functionality of both the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM and Speedlite EL-10, Canon continues to support content creators as they strive to push the boundaries of their creativity. Demonstrating a commitment to further expanding the professional RF lens range, Canon confirms it is developing additional L series zoom and prime lenses with iris rings and size uniformity that share the same hybrid stills/ video concept as the RF 35mm F1.4L VCM.

For more information about these products, please visit:

RF 35mm F1.4L VCM: https://apo-opa.co/3RicAeC

Speedlite EL-10: https://apo-opa.co/3RgRo8z

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. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

APO Group – PR Agency
Rania ElRafie
e. 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 2016 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 (http://apo-opa.co/4bK66gP) – ‘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

LG Electronics (LG) (www.LG.com) launched a global campaign called ‘Optimism your feed,’ which aims to help users bring more optimism to their social media experience by inviting them to proactively engage with positive and inspiring content on their feeds.

“As a customer-focused brand, LG is a passionate champion of optimism. We aim to create positive changes in people’s lives by being intentional with our positive activities both online and in the real world,” said Kim Hyo-eun, vice president and head of LG’s Brand Management Division. “In the AI era, LG remains committed to our unwavering promise of ‘Life’s Good.’ We will continue to enhance our customers’ lives with a human-centric approach, fostering hope for a better future.”

A new global survey commissioned by LG found that social media is both a source of anxiety and a place where people turn to be entertained, keep up with friends and family, and stay informed about news and current events. According to the survey, almost half of respondents (45 percent) report their social media feeds consist of an equal or greater amount of negative content than positive content. One in four respondents (28 percent) claimed negative content on their social media feeds has increased their anxiety and one in five (20 percent) said it has made them unhappy. Other studies (https://apo-opa.co/3X59kXE) also suggest that algorithms often promote negative and niche conversations.

The global survey sought to understand the triggers that affect how algorithms work and how to increase your feed’s positive content. The result is the ‘Optimism your feed’ playlist of original content that, when interacted with, will pull more optimistic content into your feed.[1] ‘Optimism your feed’ is part of LG’s global Life’s Good campaign (https://apo-opa.co/45bNTWJ), introduced last year to inspire and encourage people to approach life with an optimistic attitude.

Created in collaboration with global influencers renowned for their optimistic influences including Tina Choi (https://apo-opa.co/3VdPRkN), Victoria Browne (https://apo-opa.co/3VeAA3v), Josh Harmon (https://apo-opa.co/458IFLD) and more, the ‘Optimism your feed’ playlist includes over 20 short-form videos ranging from motivation to feel-good content.

Additionally, LG is consulting with social media experts including Professor Casey Fiesler (https://CaseyFiesler.com), an information scientist and technology ethicist, with a PhD in Human Centered Computing. Fiesler researches and teaches in the areas of technology ethics, internet policy, and online communities, and has published on topics such as social media content moderation and recommender systems. She also educates the public on these topics as a content creator.

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and algorithms play a significant role in the content that we see in these spaces. LG’s global playlist and campaign gives users the opportunity to see more positive and uplifting posts. By being more conscious about what we choose to engage with, we can bring stronger optimism, balance and happiness to our lives.

According to Fiesler, “Recommendation algorithms determine what we see on social media by predicting what content we are likely to engage with. These algorithms can therefore send us down ever more specific niches – for good and for bad. Research has shown that left unchecked, users can go down negative rabbit holes and encounter harmful content quite quickly. One of our first lines of defense needs to be improving our digital literacy, and paying more attention to how algorithms influence our online experiences. And the good news is that we do have some control over the input for these algorithmic predictions; if we choose to engage with optimistic content, there’s a good possibility we will see more of it.”

Victoria Browne, a global influencer and TEDx Talk speaker, said, “The algorithms on our social channel can have a big impact on the content we see online, which impacts our mental health. That’s why I’m passionate about ‘Optimism your feed’, and I hope that people use this playlist as a foundation to retrain their algorithm and encourage positivity in all aspects of their lives. So much of the stigma and difficulty of tackling mental health is that it is unseen. With this campaign, we are saying you should reach out to your friends, and that we can help each other. Our algorithm should recommend content that makes us feel more connected to people, not less.”

The ‘Optimism your feed’ playlist can be found on LG’s global TikTok channel (@ lge_lifesgood) (https://apo-opa.co/3VvzK3F) and global YouTube channel (@ LGGlobal) (https://apo-opa.co/3Rfiih3), and will later spread to various social media platforms through collaborations with influencers around the world. More details can be found on the campaign page on lg.com (https://apo-opa.co/3yZgZwr).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of LG Electronics.

About LG Electronics, Inc.:
LG Electronics is a global innovator in technology and consumer electronics with a presence in almost every country and an international workforce of more than 74,000. LG’s four companies – Home Appliance&Air Solution, Home Entertainment, Vehicle component Solutions and Business Solutions – combined for global revenue of over KRW 84 trillion in 2023. LG is a leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial products ranging from TVs, home appliances, air solutions, monitors, automotive components and solutions, and its premium LG SIGNATURE and intelligent LG ThinQ brands are familiar names world over. Visit www.LGNewsroom.com for the latest news.

The African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference – Africa’s premier event for the energy sector, taking place in Cape Town this November – will host the Powering Africa Summit. Featuring African energy and power ministers, global and regional industry stakeholders, financial institutions and project developers, the summit will showcase power generation and distribution projects driving Africa towards its universal electrification and industrialization targets.

Set to reach 2.5 billion people by 2050, Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing population. The continent’s estimated 125 billion barrels of crude oil, 620 trillion cubic feet of gas and vast solar, wind and hydropower resources represent the pathway to improving energy access and meeting rising power demand. The Powering Africa Summit aims to advance investment, technology and innovation to pave the way for Africa’s industrial growth and power generation, harnessing a mix of fossil fuel and clean energy solutions to optimize Africa’s generation and distribution capabilities.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

With the continent home to recoverable gas reserves capable of generating 400 GW of power, the Powering Africa Summit will assess the opportunities and challenges within sourcing and integrating gas into Africa’s energy matrix. Notable projects include Senegal’s Sandiara and Cap des Biches, Angola’s Soyo II, Libya’s Tobruk and South Africa’s Richards Bay gas-to-power facilities, which are set to bolster the resilience of Africa’s power supply. The Summit will discuss the economic and environmental benefits of gas-to-power projects, as well as competitive pricing, tariff structures and market reforms needed to facilitate project financing and increase private participation in the sector.

Africa is also emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets for renewables and green hydrogen. Developments such as Namibia’s $10-billion Tsau/Khaeb, Mauritania’s $40-billion Aman, South Africa’s 40 GW Boegoebaai cluster and Morocco’s Nour green hydrogen projects showcase Africa’s commitment to leveraging its solar and wind resources to unlock hydrogen energy technologies. Recent agreements between South Africa and Namibia, as well as the Tunisian Government with TotalEnergies and Austrian utility Verbund, underscore the potential of green hydrogen to strengthen African and global energy security. The Powering Africa Summit will unpack the trends, technologies and policy frameworks driving Africa’s green energy expansion, from PPPs to the future of batteries, hydrogen fuel cells and e-mobility. 

Furthermore, the Summit will promote Africa’s nuclear power prospects, exploring the financial tools and local institutional, technological and human capabilities available for greenfield nuclear programs. Despite having only one operating facility in South Africa, Africa has emerged as an attractive market for nuclear power investments due to its vast uranium resources in Namibia, Uganda and Niger, among other countries. Last April, Burkina Faso signed a partnership with Russian firm Rosatom to construct a nuclear power plant, which is expected to double the country’s power generation capacity by 2030. Energy firm Stratek Global and investment company Koya Capital have also partnered to finance a $482-million nuclear power project in South Africa, contributing to the country’s plan to develop 2,500 MW of new nuclear capacity. Earlier this year, Egypt started construction on the fourth generating nuclear reactor at its $30-billion, 4.8 GW Dabaa Power Plant with Rosatom.

“Harnessing and integrating all energy sources across the continent is the only viable solution to addressing Africa’s prolific power needs. The Powering Africa Summit will provide a platform for African and global stakeholders to advance technology and innovation to meet Africa’s power generation and energy mix diversification goals,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

At the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) (www.AHIF.com), taking place in Namibia in June, Alain Sebah, President, Golden Tulip Afrique Francophone&East Africa (GTAF), and Dupe Olusola, Managing Director and CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc, will both receive awards recognising their professional accomplishments. Alain will receive the Outstanding Contribution Award and Dupe the Leadership Award.

Alain Sebah – Outstanding Contribution Award

Alain founded GTAF a decade ago, since then he has opened 11 hotels and has 5 under construction. He has been responsible for growing the brand in both French and English-speaking Africa, focusing on management and franchise agreements. In doing so, he has overcome numerous challenges, including industry scepticism. He has demonstrated resilience and strategic vision; delivered exceptional guest experiences, advanced career opportunities for employees and won the confidence of investors.

Dupe Olusola – Leadership Award

Dupe became Managing Director and CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc during the COVID-19 pandemic when occupancy fell to just 5%. She led the company back to profitability faster than most of the world’s hospitality companies, with the share price growing over 600% in 2023.

Under her leadership, the company has extended its offer and won over 40 awards. She also won several personal awards, including CEO of the Year. Transcorp Hilton Abuja, historically an award-winning business hotel and the company’s flagship property, has introduced leisure offerings, finding the perfect blend of business and leisure. Doing so has elevated its status as the place to stay and to hold major events in Nigeria’s capital city. In November 2023, with banqueting enquiries exceeding capacity, Dupe set up marquees within the grounds of the hotel rather than turn away business.

Dupe Olusola commented on receiving the Leadership Award: “I am deeply honoured to receive the Leadership Award at AHIF. This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of the entire Transcorp Hotels team. Together, we have navigated challenging times and emerged stronger, continually pushing the boundaries of excellence in hospitality. I am proud of what we have achieved and excited about the future as we continue to innovate, expand and deliver outstanding experiences for our guests.”

Matthew Weihs, Founder of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), said: “It will be an enormous pleasure to see two exceptionally impressive individuals receiving African hospitality industry ‘Oscars’ at AHIF. Alain is one of the great statesmen of the sector, who has achieved consistent success through a brilliant mix of charm, dynamism, flexibility and commercial nous. The operational excellence his team has achieved in Cotonou is fantastic, as was the deal he signed in Abidjan at the height of the pandemic.”

“Dupe’s record is outstanding. She became the first female CEO of a N1 trillion company shortly after Transcorp ended the year as the best performing stock on the Nigerian Exchange. One has to admire her ability to inspire people and the innovative way she fought to retain guests when other hoteliers would simply have said they were fully booked.”

Alain Sebah concluded: “I am deeply grateful to AHIF for this recognition. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of many individuals. Together, we have built a legacy of quality and service, of which I am immensely proud; and this award motivates us to achieve even greater heights.”

AHIF takes place at the Mövenpick Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia, 25th – 27th June 2024.

The event is the most influential gathering of hospitality executives in Africa, connecting business leaders and fuelling investment in tourism projects, infrastructure, and hotel development across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF).

Further Information: 
For further information and high-resolution images, please contact:
David Tarsh on +44 (0) 20 7602 5262, +44 (0) 7770 816 070 or email: David@Tarsh.com.

About the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF): 
AHIF is the premier hotel investment conference in Africa, attracting many prominent international hotel owners, investors, financiers, management companies and their advisers. It is organised by The Bench (https://apo-opa.co/3yNihdX), which has a long track record of delivering multiple premium hotel investment conferences and forums across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. The Bench’s mission is enabling prosperity by facilitating growth, networking, and thought leadership in the hospitality industry worldwide.

AHIF Sponsors
Host Sponsor: Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB); Host Partner: Kasada Capital Management
Platinum Sponsors: ClubMed and Radisson Hotel Group
Pavilion Sponsors: Rwanda Development Board and ZIDA Invest
Gold Sponsors: Accor, Aleph Hospitality, BWH Hotels, CHIC, CityBlue, Colliers, FNB, hansgrohe, IHG Hotels and Resorts, JLL, Knight Frank, Kofisi, LEVA, Marriott International. Millennium Hotels and Resorts; O&L Leisure, RMB, Rwanda Development Board, Tui Hotels and Resorts, Uganda Tourism Board; Silver Sponsors: Gondwana Collection, HVS, STR, TIME Hotels, TV5Monde and Uganda Tourism Board 
Confectionary Cafe Sponsor: Profica 
Bar Sponsor: Zia Travel Atelier
Mini Golf Sponsor: CBRE
Networking Sponsors: DSTV and Talinda

Official Carriers: Discover Airlines, FlyNamibia, South African Airways