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ATI reaffirmed its role in the economic transformation in Africa, ensuring effective trade and investment, making the continent more resilient post Covid
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 ATI (www.ATI-aca.org) has shown great resilience and posted a net profit growth of 43% and a Gross Exposure of USD 6.3 billion amidst the COVID-19 Global Pandemic; ATI is increasing its capital base and footprint across the African continent through support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German Development Bank (KfW); As it marks its 20th Anniversary, the Nairobi based Pan-African insurer has pledged a more robust, reliable and transformational strategic approach to its business offerings. The African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI) held its 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually, announcing its record results for the 9th consecutive year for financial year 2020, which was marked with turbulence and uncertainty due to Covid-19 global pandemic. As it marked its 20th Anniversary, ATI reaffirmed its role in the economic transformation in Africa, ensuring effective trade and investment, making the continent more resilient post Covid. ATI has navigated the initial impacts of the Covid-19 crisis, managing both short and medium term effects of the pandemic on its balance sheet. It closed the year with a Net Profit of USD 39.4 million and a Gross Exposure of USD 6.3 billion. The AGM also approved the proposed dividend distribution of USD 9.9 million, an annual growth rate of 139% from 2019. This growth reflects ATI’s resilience and the Board’s confidence in the underlying strength of the business. Amongst the key highlights of the 21st AGM were also the following:
As ATI strives to be fully Pan-African, its membership base continues to grow, underpinned by its increased relevance and support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the German Development Bank (KfW). Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Gabon, Mali and Senegal are at an advanced stage of finalizing membership, while additional funding has been secured for capital increase for some existing members. With the growth of membership comes other advantages such as increase in ATI’s equity and investment earnings, as well as upgrading its credit rating of A/Stable by both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s. The outgoing Chairman of the AGM, Honorable Matia Kasaija, Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development noted “ATI has worked with Ministries of Finance to help manage growing debt levels by re-profiling costlier and riskier debts and replacing them with longer term, affordable debts from top rated international commercial lenders. This has not only resulted in improvements in institutional framework for debt liability management, but also brought significant cost savings and lowered debt ratios. This is in addition to the support offered to commercial entities that facilitate private sector development in ATI member countries.” The CEO, Mr. Manuel Moses, commented “I am extremely proud of the twenty-year track record that ATI has set in the provision of Credit and Political Risk Insurance to support Trade and Investments in Africa. While we embark on our third decade, ATI pledges a more robust, reliable and transformational strategic approach to its business offerings. We continue to be the de-facto business risk mitigation tool that propels intra Africa trade in support of AfCFTA.” The AGM bureau confirmed Hon. Kenneth Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of the Republic of Ghana as the incoming Chairperson of the General Meeting. H.E. Dr. Uzziel Ndagijimana, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of the Republic of Rwanda was confirmed as Vice Chairperson. |
![Canon (www.Canon-CNA.com) today announces the Colorado XL-series, a new platform of 3.4m printers that extends the proven advantages of Canon's UVgel technology to the 3.2m graphics market. Available in hybrid and roll-to-roll configurations, the modular, field upgradable platform powered by UVgel technology delivers great versatility and exceptional productivity for both flexible and rigid media applications from signage and décor to point of sale and packaging. The Colorado XL-series comprises two easy-to-operate models: the Colorado XL7 roll-to-roll printer and Colorado XL7 hybrid printer. The new series brings the benefits of UVgel to a new market segment with exceptional application versatility across a comprehensive range of media – from banner, paper, vinyl and films to soft signage, heat-sensitive materials, foam board, fluted polypropylene, acrylic, aluminium composite boards and cardboard – providing the flexibility to tackle diverse customer requirements. With print speeds of 70m² per hour in quality mode, 106m² per hour in production mode and up to 211m² per hour in express mode, the system delivers the productivity needed for demanding production environments while accommodating substrates up to 52mm/2 inches thick for rigid applications. The new platform includes multiple technology innovations, such as the UVgel 860 ink set, which has been optimised to cover a wide variety of both rigid and flexible applications. It also provides the proven benefits of UVgel: odourless and instant-dry prints, high mechanical and chemical robustness, dimensional stability due to low-temperature curing, excellent colour consistency, TPO [1] - and VCL [2] -free, and matte and gloss finish without the need of a separate varnish. The Colorado XL-series also incorporates new UVgel 850 PrintHeads. Each printhead has 4,544 nozzles and features automated built-in nozzle performance monitoring and compensation. A single printhead supports two colours simultaneously, so that only two printheads are required to print CMYK, plus an optional third if white is configured. Additionally, the Colorado XL-series has an agile and precise printhead carriage that features UVgel DynamicMotion Control to ensure exceptional print quality even with challenging media. Taking the UV LED curing process to the next level, the Colorado XL-series introduces UVgel FullBeam Curing. This technology uses a unique 3.4-metre-wide LED curing array that, combined with an ingenious mirror system, delivers consistent UV light dosing across the entire print width, guaranteeing exceptional print uniformity over large surfaces and enabling a wider colour gamut. Media handling is optimised by the new UVgel TRIdrive vacuum belt system, which features three interactive rollers and multiple powerful vacuum zones that reduce wrinkling and skewing by automatically detecting and correcting the media positioning. This results in highly repeatable media transport through the printer, ensuring accurate positioning both longitudinally and laterally and enabling razor-sharp applications. Optional features for the Colorado XL-series, which are already available on the highly successful and modular Colorado M-series, include: UVgel White for hassle-free white printing, FLXfinish+ for creative effects using matte or gloss or mixed matte and gloss on the same print without additional varnish, and FLXture for textured finishes that mimic materials like leather, wood or fabric. Mathew Faulkner, Director, Marketing & Innovation, Wide Format Printing Group, Canon EMEA, comments: "For the past decade, Canon has been at the forefront of the inkjet evolution in large format, with market-leading technologies including the Colorado roll-to-roll printer series powered by UVgel technology and the Arizona flatbed printers. Large format print providers are looking for systems that deliver high productivity, versatile applications and reliable quality while addressing the challenge of finding skilled operators – which is why Canon is launching our new, breakthrough Colorado XL-series, an addition to our portfolio that will set a new standard in productivity and versatility. “This innovative solution brings the proven advantages of our unique UVgel technology to the 3.2m market for the first time, combining it with extensive automation and a modular design that will enable customers to extend their application possibilities into markets such as packaging and décor. Print service providers already producing high-value signage and graphics can now leverage UVgel's distinctive finishes, including mixed gloss and matte effects and textured printing, at scale to stand out in these new markets. And with its hybrid capabilities, users can print both roll-to-roll and rigid applications on the same device, using the same ink, the same colour profiles and the same unique features and finishes. For brands, for example, this translates to seamless campaigns that span the full spectrum of applications, ensuring perfect consistency across campaign assets whether they're roll-fed graphics, rigid signage, packaging, or décor elements. This is particularly valuable when these different applications appear side by side in-store, where maintaining that consistent quality and finish elevates the entire brand experience that today's brands demand." The Colorado XL-series will be available from the beginning of 2026 via Canon’s direct sales organisations as well as from accredited partners. For more information about the Colorado XL-series, please visit: https://apo-opa.co/3WltKtM](https://businessinsights.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/canon_prograf-100x70.png "Canon expands large format graphics production portfolio with new 3.4m Colorado XL-series")
