Canon’s World of Education initiatives in Africa (https://en.Canon-CNA.com) are aligned with the corporate philosophy of Kyosei, which is a Japanese concept meaning, living, and working together for the common good; The educational programmes bring to life Canon’s commitment to sustainability, cooperation, and fostering an environment for growth and development.

Canon Central and North Africa is delighted to announce a collaboration with Rolof Computer Academy, aimed at empowering youth and fostering creativity. Through this partnership, Canon and Rolof Computer Academy will activate various education programmes such as- Canon Academy Juniors Programme, Miraisha Programme, Canon Print Hub, and Canon Academy. This partnership marks a significant step towards providing practical experiences and job opportunities for youth in Nigeria.

Rashad Ghani, B2C Business Unit Director at Canon Central and North Africa, expressed his excitement at the collaboration, saying, “We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey alongside Rolof Computer Academy. Together, we aim to empower the youth of Nigeria with more than just technical photography skills.

“We aspire to provide them with immersive experiences, moments of discovery, and opportunities for personal growth. Through the lens of photography, we hope to broaden their creativity and instill in them a sense of confidence and purpose.”

Rashad also emphasized Canon’s commitment to the philosophy of Kyosei, a Japanese concept that lies at the heart of the company’s values. “Kyosei,” he explained, “Embodies our belief in living and working together for the common good. It’s about fostering harmony, collaboration, and mutual respect within our global community. By partnering with Rolof Computer Academy, Canon continues its mission to educate and motivate individuals to make a positive impact in the world.”

What makes this joint initiative unique is the integration of the five different workshops scheduled from 23 July to 3 September 2024, with the Rolof Summer Programme at Rolof Computer Academy in Warri, Nigeria. This cohesive approach offers participants a unified and collaborative learning experience, where creativity and technology converge within a single framework.

These workshops are designed for various learners from children to adults starting out in photography. Led by Canon-certified trainers, participants will enjoy interactive, hands-on training sessions tailored for two age groups: 8-16 years under Canon Academy Juniors, and 18-35 years for the Street Photography Workshop under Canon Academy and the Canon Miraisha Programme.

The Canon Academy Junior Programme is dedicated to nurturing creativity and empowering young minds. The programme offers concise, interactive sessions that provide a stimulating and enriching experience. These sessions aim to inspire a love for photography in children. As part of the holistic experience, young learners will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the realm of arts and crafts. Canon Creative Park, an exclusive content service tailored for Canon print owners, will be featured during the trainings, offering a delightful array of paper crafting activities. These activities will provide children with a platform to unleash their artistic talents and create novel masterpieces.

The Canon Miraisha Programme, targeted at participants aged 18-35 years, seeks to promote job opportunities and future livelihoods in Africa, workshops designed for photographers, videographers, filmmakers, and print business owners will enhance their skill sets and support their professional development.

The Canon Academy presents a variety of practical photography workshops covering a wide range of topics, organized to cater to diverse interests and skill levels. With the convenience of online accessibility, training courses provide the flexibility to learn anywhere, anytime.

Mr. Lucky Ofuafor, Director of Rolof Computer Academy said, “Our collaboration with Canon Central and North Africa is a testament to our commitment to education and pioneering innovative educational opportunities within our community. Through this partnership, we are dedicated to empowering the youth of Warri with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.”

Rolof Computer Academy is an educational institution offering a range of courses to diverse audiences, including adults and children in areas such as computer science and engineering. It hosts an annual summer camp for children in Warri, Nigeria. Its team of highly skilled professionals offers numerous services to help businesses thrive in the digital world.

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 (https://apo-opa.co/463yeJJ) – ‘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

The Bipaga Gas Processing Center in Cameroon has transported its first gas cargo to the Keda Ceramics manufacturing plant via a 6 km-long pipeline constructed by national oil company Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH) and independent hydrocarbon producer Perenco. Keda Ceramics – the largest ceramics facility in the region – will utilize the gas to power factory generators and kilns, enabling the production of approximately 20 million m² of ceramic tiles once the facility is fully commissioned.

The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – serving as the voice of the African energy sector – celebrates the milestone achieved by Perenco and the government of Cameroon. Representing the first gas-to-industry project spearheaded by Perenco in Central Africa, the delivery showcases the critical role natural gas plays in driving industrialization across the region. The project is a testament to how gas can be produced and monetized in a way that supports domestic manufacturing and job creation and is the start of a new era of growth for the Cameroonian economy.

Cameroon aims to become a manufacturing hub, driving industrialization through the development of natural gas projects. The country’s Industrialization Master Plan – adopted in 2016 – outlines a strategy to position the country as a regional electricity provider; a supplier of agro-industrial produce; and a top equipment manufacturer. The Keda Ceramics project falls under this plan. Once fully commissioned the factory will utilize up to six million cubic feet of gas per day to power its operations, creating 2,000 direct and indirect jobs in the Kribi region. Gas will be supplied under a 20-year agreement signed in September 2022 with Perenco and SNH.

The project represents just one of the many underway that aim to bolster gas monetization in Cameroon. On the LNG front, Cameroon aims to increase production from the existing 1.6 million tons per annum (mtpa) to five mtpa by 2026. The country represented the first in the world to convert an LNG carrier into an FLNG vessel, with the Hilli Episeyo FLNG facility – developed by LNG manufacturer Golar LNG, Perenco and SNH – celebrating its 100th cargo delivery in 2023. The project partners are currently in discussions to re-contract the FLNG vessel beyond the end of its existing contract period (July 2026).

Beyond LNG production, Cameroon plans to increase LPG for clean cooking use to 58% by 2035 and is inviting investment in midstream and downstream infrastructure. SNH currently operates a domestic gas depot in Bipaga, representing the country’s sole supplier of locally-produced LPG. The country’s LPG Masterplan – launched in 2016 – envisages 400 million euros in financing to fund an additional seven million LPG cylinders in the country while strengthening importation, storage, transportation and retail infrastructure. In the power sector, natural gas projects aim to bolster electrification and economic growth. The Kribi Gas-Fired Power Plant – operational since 2013 – has a capacity of 341.3 MW and is located in southern Cameroon. The project utilizes gas from the Sagana South offshore gas field and provides the region will clean power.

Meanwhile, Cameroon is seeking new investment in exploration as well as alternative pathways to monetize stranded reserves. Independent oil and gas company Tower Resources extended the first exploration period of the Thali PSC in the Rio del Rey basin in January 2024. The contract calls for the drilling of one exploration well. Estimated to contain up to four distinct play systems, the Thali prospect offers the potential for additional discoveries. Additionally, in June 2023, Perenco signed a new 20-year PSC with SNH for the continued development of the Rio del Rey Basin. The basin has approximately 1.2 billion barrels of undeveloped reserves. Further exploration across the market will not only increase national oil and gas production but support industrialization efforts across the country.

“Cameroon is setting a trend for other resource-rich nations in Africa that are seeking innovative solutions to advance industrialization. By directing investment towards gas processing and distribution while promoting new exploration to sustain supplies, the country is fast-tracking the development of multiple industries country-wide. Gas is a fuel for industrialization in Africa and Cameroon is a testament to this,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

During the past week, the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) branch in Anseba, one of Eritrea’s six regions (locally called ‘zobas’), conducted its annual six-month activity assessment meeting. The NUEW, local government officials, and a range of stakeholders, reviewed the progress made on outlined plans, discussed various challenges encountered, and identified different lessons learned in the course of its work conducted over the past six months. Additionally, the meeting saw attendees spend some time laying out a series of tangible steps needing to be taken in order to successfully implement the year’s remaining programs and initiatives, as well as exploring different aspects of the country’s five-year strategic plan for gender equality and development.

President of the NUEW, Tekea Tesfamical, offered important comments highlighting how gender-related issues are extremely significant and have considerable bearing on different dimensions of society. She also went on to encourage individuals, communities, institutions, and partners to work together to consolidate gender equality and empowerment, as both a moral imperative and way to drive development. Also speaking at the event were Colonel Tesfatsion Girmay, Director General of Social Service and chairman of the regional committee overseeing women’s development, who called for continued efforts to strengthen women’s participation in all national development programs, and Ambassador Abdella Musa, Governor of Anseba, who outlined the array of measures being taken by the regional administration to strengthen women and girls’ empowerment.

As was reflected in the points raised during the recent meeting in Anseba, the NUEW is a key national organization and it is engaged in extremely important, valuable work. Using that as a useful starting basis, the following paragraphs briefly trace the organization’s long history of valiant struggle, while also shedding light on progress achieved with regard to gender equality and empowerment in the country – made possible through the organization’s tireless work and invaluable contributions.

Decades of work toward equality and empowerment

The NUEW was established in 1979 with the complete backing and firm support of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front. During the long struggle for freedom, it not only helped to organize and mobilize Eritrean women as a core and integral part of the formidable armed liberation forces, it also played a fundamental role in sensitizing Eritrean society to the importance of a range of gender-related issues and promoting gender equality in all its manifestations.

Scholars and historians have described in detail how, in both quantitative and qualitative terms, Eritrean women’s valiant contributions to the armed struggle were distinguished and largely unparalleled in the annals of the history of liberation movements worldwide. In addition to comprising approximately one-third of all the liberation forces, Eritrean women also fought heroically on the frontlines and held a variety of strategic and leading positions in the field. As well, despite the challenges of a devastating conflict, and the residual, lingering effects of discrimination, the NUEW played a key role in helping to drive a number of important sociocultural changes.

Following Eritrea’s achievement of independence, the NUEW continued in its important work, reconstituting itself as an autonomous non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the status of the nation’s women and girls. Broadly, the organization’s mission is to ensure that all Eritrean women and girls, regardless of status, region, background, or any other characteristic, are able to confidently stand for their rights and equally participate in all aspects of life and sectors of society.

Since independence, some of the main objectives of the NUEW have included, among others: ensuring gender equality and women’s rights in political, economic, social, cultural, and all other spheres; increasing women’s social awareness and knowledge; endeavouring for the active participation of Eritrean women in overall development programmes in such a way that they also benefit from their efforts; promoting peace and development; and strengthening the NUEW in order to make it more efficient and influential.

Over the course of its decades-long history, the NUEW has significantly grown, both with regard to its overall membership, as well as to the scope of its work and the impacts that it has been able to make on the ground. At present, it has thousands of members of all ages and backgrounds, dispersed across all the nation’s villages, communities, and regions. As well, there are numerous active branches and members in countries around the world. (Today, there are active branches of varying sizes in countries in Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Australia.) These not only promote gender-related issues and empowerment of women in their communities, they also support the work of NUEW in Eritrea in various ways, from donating resources and sharing experiences to participating in campaigns, raising awareness of pressing issues, and conducting workshops or training programs. In effect, although members in Eritrea and from around the world may be separated by thousands of miles, they remain united in their vision and efforts for a more equitable nation.

The NUEW has continued to take on a wide range of social projects over the years to promote gender equality and support the empowerment of women and girls. For instance, it has established several professional training centres, as part of its broader aim of capacity-building, and works closely with the Ministry of Education to raise female enrolments and eradicate illiteracy. As well, it has maintained a legal counseling department, which has helped to significantly increase women’s knowledge and understanding of legal issues and their rights (especially with regard to issues such as divorce, alimony, paternity, inheritance, and land ownership, among other issues), while also fighting residual stigma and discrimination. Furthermore, the NUEW has campaigned to improve women’s access to healthcare, promote their inherent rights and dignity, and also supported their socioeconomic empowerment through training programs, skills development, as well as financial loans.

Important gender-related progress – with NUEW playing an invaluable role

Eritrea has made important improvements and registered notable progress in relation to gender equality and empowerment over the years. These forward strides are rooted in a number of different factors, from high-level political commitment and prioritization to investment of time and resources, among others. Of course, they have also been achieved through the tireless efforts and valuable, multifaceted contributions by the NUEW.

To briefly recap some of the improvements, life expectancy has jumped from less than 50 in 1991 to about 68 years at present, while the percentage of women beneficiaries within the national micro-credit and saving scheme today is about 56 percent, as compared to only 16 percent in 1995. Furthermore, female involvement in small-scale businesses has grown, with women now holding about 48 percent of business licenses issued nationwide – again, a considerable improvement from past years. As well, women account for marginally over half – about 51 percent – of the country’s total formal labor force, constitute about 46 percent of all employees holding managerial positions, and make up 22 and 29 percent of all members of the National Assembly and Regional Assemblies, respectively. The government’s commitment to ensure equal access to health services, water, and sanitation is also contributing to an array of positive health outcomes for women and girls, while rates of harmful traditional practices (from child marriage to FGM/C) have been reduced significantly.

Alongside all of the above, land, both for housing and commercial and subsistence farming, is equally distributed with men, and women’s financial inclusion, in terms of access to bank loans and use of various financial services continues to trend in a positive direction. Within education, important progress has been made. Female literacy has increased steadily (youth female youth literacy is above 93 percent, almost equal with males), while across all levels, female enrolment continues to steadily grow and the historically huge gender gap is being progressively narrowed. Parity between girls and boys has been achieved within middle education and it is almost fully achieved in pre-primary and secondary education, while improvements continue to be registered at the primary level. Enrolment at the tertiary level among males and females has remained almost equal, a positive transformation compared to past decades.

As a result of different factors, including the leading role played by the NUEW, girls and women are tangibly contributing within all areas of society and in many diverse, important ways, ultimately playing a vital role in families, communities, the nation’s socio-economic improvement, and its general development. Not only should this be applauded by all, but firmly supported and encouraged.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

The annual Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) for Africa confirms that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) weathered 2023 relatively well thanks to credible economic and social policy reforms. In particular, governments and central banks have started to shift attention from weathering global shocks to building credibility, capacity, and transparency.

One reflection of this is the region’s strong performance across multiple measures of Central Bank independence – an institutional provision that improves countries’ ability to reduce inflation and can improve investors’ perception of risks. However, countries were held back by low transparency and inadequate judicial oversight. Moreover, the improvements are not universal, as governments facing budget constraints linked to high debt service costs will need to work harder to attract private sector investments to stimulate economic growth.

The CPIA is an annual diagnostic tool for countries eligible for financing from the International Development Association (IDA)*, the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries. The 2024 report provides an assessment of the quality of policies and institutions in all 39 IDA–eligible countries in SSA for calendar year 2023. Countries are rated on a scale of 1 (low) to 6 (high) across 16 dimensions reflecting four areas: economic management, structural policies, policies for social inclusion and equity, and public sector management and institutions.

The average overall CPIA scores in SSA remained stable at 3.1 – the same aggregate score as the two previous years. A more detailed look at country assessments reveals that SSA has caught up with the average overall score for IDA countries in the rest of the world thanks to social policy reform, and credible fiscal policy improvement, and institutional provisions to promote economic stability.

“The CPIA review offers a chance to identify areas of relative weakness and engage in a dialogue around policy reforms that can produce better development outcomes,” said Andrew Dabalen, World Bank Chief Economist for Africa. 

The need to attract and sustain greater private sector investments comes out strongly from the 2024 report. “Private sector investments will need to pick up after years of investment growth coming from the public sector. High interest rates and public debt mean that the public sector can’t continue to do the heavy lifting, but there are huge opportunities around trade and the digital economy,” said Nicholas Woolley, the CPIA report’s main author.

In that respect, CPIA scores could provide guidance to international investors and businesses on the quality of institutions and efficacy of recent reforms – something that sometimes prevents interested partners from starting new activity in the region. Detailed scores for all 39 SSA countries are available online at https://www.worldbank.org/en/data/datatopics/cpia.

The report will be launched today in Accra, Ghana by Mr. Dabalen, with a panel discussion on policies to promote private sector growth moderated by Bernard Avle of Citi FM. The discussion is expected to cover all areas of the CPIA, including the importance of macroeconomic stability for the private sector, low-cost regulatory solutions to support trade and investment, and how education, health, and social inclusion boost local firm growth. The role of government transparency and accountability to avoid captured markets is also on the agenda.

*The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), established in 1960, helps the world’s low-income countries by providing grants and low to zero-interest loans for projects and programs that boost economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve people’s lives. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for its 75 client countries, 39 of which are in Africa. Since 1960, IDA has provided $552 billion to 115 countries. Annual commitments have averaged about $36 billion over the last three years (FY21-FY23), with about 75% going to Africa. Learn more online: https://ida.worldbank.org #IDAworks

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.