The Kenya Premier League (KPL) has officially announced the engagement of DesignStudio as the League’s official branding partner. DesignStudio will work with the League, Member clubs and other stakeholders to rebrand the Kenya Premier League’s brand identity, website and other media assets.
The engagement is part of the KPL’s efforts to revolutionize football activities in the country through its strategic plan that is anchored on the implementation of a robust grassroots football programme, building football academies with educational resources, guiding member clubs on the best legal structures and implementation of a multi-sports division.
A multi-sports Division will offer more opportunities for Member Clubs to build facilities for young people to play more professional sports, attract more fans, sponsors and build a wider sporting experience for all spectators and participants in the country
In his remarks, Kenya Premier League (KPL) Commercial Director Taiwo Atieno noted that the engagement is part of the League’s commitment to build a sustainable brand to inspire the youth, fans and sponsors
“In order to support the objectives in the Strategic plan and grow the Professional Game we felt we had to create the best sports brand in Africa that is both authentic to Kenya’s heritage and that would be impactful on the Global Sports Industry. We wanted a brand to inspire the Youth, the Fans and the best Sponsors. And we wanted to work with an agency that matched and could deliver on our ambition. I believe we have achieved that with DesignStudio. We spent many months speaking with the team at DesignStudio and their energy, portfolio and professionalism was unmatched. This will be an exciting period for ALL Football stakeholders and all those who love the game. We shall involve as many stakeholders in the rebranding process as possible so we can truly deliver a unique Football brand for Kenya Premier League,” said Mr Atieno
DesignStudio is a global design agency that creates brands and experiences through radical collaboration. From their studios in London, New York, Shanghai and Sydney, they have worked with some of the world’s most well-known brands including Airbnb, Premier League, World Rugby, Panasonic, British Airways, Logitech, AT&T, Riot Games, and many more.
DesignStudio CEO Mark Liney expressed his admiration on the prospects of the league and its potential for growth through the engagement
“We love the Kenyan Premier League’s vision for the future of the sport and we are honoured to be partnering together to grow the brand for the next chapter of the League, and the next generation of sports fans, in Kenya and beyond. We have a rich heritage in sports branding through our work with the likes of the Premier League, the Champions League and the New Taipei Kings and are passionate about the role of sport in communities, countries and the wider world. Amongst a nation of footballer lovers, we are so excited about the incredible opportunity to rebuild the profile of the sport and support the League’s ambition to grow football at a grassroots level for the players and fans of the future” said Mr Liney
The partnership will also target to unlock what makes football in Kenya so special and bring it to life through a comprehensive brand strategy and design that is in line with the global sporting community standards.
![Canon’s RF/EF lens production exceeds 170 million units, extending its world record in interchangeable lens production Both EF and RF lenses have gained strong support from a wide range of users—from beginners to professionals—leading to steady growth in production volume Canon Inc. announced that, in October 2025, Canon reached a historic milestone of producing a cumulative total of 170 million RF and EF interchangeable lenses for its EOS series, extending its world record for the highest number of interchangeable camera lenses ever produced. The EF lens was introduced in 1987 as the dedicated lens system for Canon’s EOS autofocus single-lens reflex film camera, debuting simultaneously with the EOS system itself. Since their inception, EF lenses have led the industry by incorporating a series of world-first technologies, including the Ultrasonic Motor (USM), Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, and a multilayered Diffractive Optical (DO) element, and have undergone numerous evolutions. In 2018, Canon launched the RF lens series, designed for the EOS R mirrorless camera system, which features a large aperture, short back focus, and high-speed communication system to deliver even higher image quality. The RF and EF lens series lineup now includes a total of 108 models , covering a wide range of focal lengths from ultra-wide 10mm to super-telephoto 1200mm. The series also includes the world’s first VR lens lenses with built-in power zoom suited for video shooting, and even those compatible with power zoom adapters—expanding the scope of creative expression and meeting the diverse needs of users for both still photography and video. EF lens production began at Canon’s Utsunomiya Plant in 1987. Since then, both EF and RF lenses have gained strong support from a wide range of users—from beginners to professionals—leading to steady growth in production volume. Today, Canon manufactures lenses at five sites: Utsunomiya Plant; Canon Inc., Taiwan; Canon Opto (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.; Oita Canon Inc.; and Miyazaki Canon Inc. Milestones include 10 million units produced by 1995 and 50 million by 2009. Then in 2014, Canon became the first company in the world to reach 100 million interchangeable camera lenses produced. In October 2025, the company reached 170 million units, leading to the achievement of this world record. The 170 millionth lens produced was the RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z. Canon has maintained the No.1 global market share for digital interchangeable-lens cameras for 22 consecutive years since 2003. Moving forward, Canon will continue to refine its proprietary imaging technologies and further strengthen and expand its lens lineup, pioneering new imaging possibilities and contributing to the continued evolution of photographic and video culture. Highlights in the development of the RF/EF Lens Series The EF lens, which was introduced alongside EOS in March 1987, has adopted a variety of world-first technologies, including Image Stabilizer (IS) technology, featured in the EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM released in 1995; a multilayered Diffractive Optical (DO) element, used in the EF 400mm f/4 DO IS USM launched in 2001; and Subwavelength Structure Coating (SWC) [7], applied to the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM released in 2008. In 2021, Canon launched the EOS VR System, a VR video system consisting of a mirrorless camera [8], dedicated lens, and PC software, thereby creating a 3D 180° VR video through an interchangeable lens camera. In 2024, Canon began rolling out a new series of hybrid lenses equipped with iris rings, designed to meet the needs of both still photography and professional video production. For zoom lenses, the company has also launched RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z and RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Z which are compatible with power zoom adapters. For single focus lenses, the company released F1.4 L hybrid prime lens series that unified the size and ring and button position across models. In September 2025, Canon launched RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM, the fifth model in this series, demonstrating that it can meet demands in line with the changing times. [1] Includes EF, EF-S, EF-M, EF Cinema, RF, RF-S, and RF Cinema lenses and extenders. As of October 21, 2025 (according to a survey by Canon) [2] Among SLR cameras (according to a survey by Canon) [3] Number of products sold as of October 22, 2025 (including extenders). The number of lens models for sale is different according to market figures. [4] Focal length is 5.2mm to 1200mm when including VR lenses [5] An interchangeable digital camera lens that enables VR footage with a single camera. Among interchangeable lens digital cameras released as of October 5, 2021 (according to a survey by Canon) [6] Refers to unit share (according to a survey by Canon) [7] A special coating with advanced anti-reflective properties [8] For applicable cameras, please visit the official Canon website *Release dates in this document refer to dates in Japan. 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 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 – ‘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.](https://businessinsights.africa/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/1.-Canon-EOS-R50-Mirrorless-Camera-for-Beginners-1024x764-1-100x70.jpg "Canon makes history with 170 Million lenses milestone")
