GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING ARTISTES SET TO GRACE SAFARICOM JAZZ 2018/2019 SEASON

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GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING ARTISTES SET TO GRACE SAFARICOM JAZZ 2018/2019 SEASON

Special Correspondent - July 18, 2018

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Kakuzi MD Chris Flowers assures international buyers that local stakeholders are working in concert to manage the prevailing logistical disruptions arising from geopolitical tensions 07/02…A Kenyan business leader in the fresh produce sector has assured global buyers that the country is working hard to overcome the unique logistical and shipping challenges brought about by the Middle East Conflict. Speaking at the opening of this year’s Fruit Logistica 2025 trade show in Berlin, Germany, Kakuzi Plc Managing Director Mr Chris Flowers assured global buyers that local producers, exporters, shipping firms and the Government of Kenya agencies are working in concert to manage the prevailing logistical disruptions arising from geopolitical tensions. Mr Flowers acknowledged that the tensions have significantly impacted national competitiveness and threatens the survival of agribusiness players in Kenya due to logistical and supply chain problems caused by the effective closure of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden’s general route to European markets. He expressed regret that from a low of 30 to 35 days, shipments to Europe now take more than 50 days to reach the crucial market. “However, I can assure you that all stakeholders, including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, are working together to ensure that our produce reaches the European market on time and in good quality,” Mr Flowers said on the sidelines of Fruit Logistica 2025, the world’s leading trade show for the fresh produce business. At the same time, Mr Flowers assured the key buyers that Kakuzi, among other leading export firms, is working closely with the Kenyan Phytosanitary authorities to curb the export of immature fruit through maturity testing services and enhanced surveillance. To alleviate the plight of Kenyan exporters, Mr Flowers acknowledged that Kakuzi's key shipping partners are working round the clock to develop faster routes to Europe. However, he reemphasized that every day counts, further reducing logistics times is critical. "We all need to put our heads together and rescue any Country bottleneck that exists," he said. Last year, the geopolitical unrest in the Middle East introduced new risks to this critical maritime route through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden. Incidents such as attacks on shipping vessels have raised security concerns and led to significant disruptions in marine traffic flow. In response, shipping companies, wary of potential threats to their assets and crew, have opted for alternative routes despite the longer journey times and higher costs, negatively impacting fresh produce exporters’. To reach Europe, Ships ferrying fresh produce such as Avocados have been travelling from Mombasa to the port of Salala in Oman. In Oman, the containers of avocados are transferred onto another larger ship, which then travels around the Cape of Good Hope and into Europe. In Europe, the containers are trans-shipped at Algeciras Port, southern Spain, moved to Northern Europe via Rotterdam or Felixstowe, and arrive near ripe. Mr Flowers noted that starting in February 2025, one of the major shipping lines will bypass Algeciras Port and head directly to Rotterdam from Salala. This has the potential to save precious days, he noted. This year, Fruit Logistica 2025 is featuring an outstanding programme of events. Over 100 experts, invited exhibitors, including Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority - Horticultural Crops Directorate, and trade visitors, are meeting in Berlin to discuss the latest trends and forward-looking concepts. Fruit Logistica 2025 covers the entire value chain of the fresh fruit and vegetable trade, from the point of seed to the point of sale. With over 2,600 exhibitors from more than 90 countries in 26 exhibition halls, the trade fair is an indispensable meeting place for the fresh fruit industry. Fruit Logistica 2025 has welcomed a record-breaking number of Smart Agri exhibitors, showcasing cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of agriculture. The Smart Agri exhibition area features 36 pioneering exhibitors from 18 countries, marking a significant increase over last year. These exhibitors will present Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for estimating fruit yields, farm management and quality control software, sustainable and precise irrigation solutions, data-driven precision pollination, drones revolutionising agriculture, and much more.

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Smartphone For All (www.SmartphoneForAll.ai), a business committed to digital inclusion, has won the 2025 Pinnacle Awards (Telecoms and Wireless Category) Digital Inclusion & Accessibility Champion and the 2026 Merit Award (Telecoms and Wireless) Digital Divide. The Pinnacle Awards is a reputable global program honoring innovation and excellence across industries. According to Katie Lang, Executive Director of the Pinnacle Awards, “The Telecom and Wireless Sector continue to set the pace for innovation, connecting people and businesses worldwide. We are proud to recognize the organizations that exemplify ingenuity, reliability and impact in one of the most dynamic industries on the planet”. In the same vein, Marie Zander, Executive Director of Merit Awards states that “this year’s winners reflect excellence across the ecosystem—demonstrating the technologies and strategies that are shaping the future of communications”. Smartphone For All had earlier in the year 2025 unveiled an ambitious campaign to bridge Africa’s digital divide by providing affordable, high-quality smartphones and connectivity and AI at the edge to consumers who are excluded from the digital world across the continent. Established on the belief that exclusion from the digital ecosystem locks people out of opportunities and lifestyle enhancements. Smartphone For All aims that every individual—regardless of income, geography, or background- can fully participate in the digital economy and the evolving AI transformation. According to Mr. Babatunde Osho, Founder/CEO of Smartphone For All, “The digital divide is not just a technology gap—it’s an opportunity gap. When someone does not have access to a smartphone, they are cut off from education, jobs, healthcare, financial services, and even their own voice. Our mission is to close that gap, one device at a time and build Africa’s largest digital inclusion platform. We are glad that the Pinnacle and Telecom & Wireless Awards have recognized what we are doing to improve digital inclusion and accessibility in Africa” Smartphone For All partners with MNOs to provide smartphones to 2G/3G subscribers who cannot afford 4G smartphone across Africa. The initiative was launched with MTN in South Africa in May 2025 for an initial period of one year with a smartphone device at ZAR 99 or $5. The plan is targeting about 1.2m devices. The vision of Smartphone for All is to take the offering to other African countries like Cote D’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and other markets. Apart from the benefits for the subscribers, there are obvious MNO benefits of better spectrum utilization with 4G+ networks over legacy 2G/3G networks. For regulators and government, the benefits include productivity enhancements and digital inclusion among citizens. According to a report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, 10% growth in broadband connectivity results in 1.4% growth in GDP in low- and middle-income countries and 1.2% growth in high income countries. African countries like South Africa are actively incentivizing this growth through policies like a ban on new 2G/3G device activations starting from December 31, 2024, and a complete shutdown by December 31, 2027. The government has also reduced taxes on certain classes of smartphones to drive adoption. According to Jeff Miller, Director at Smartphone for all, ‘Smartphone For All is not just a business, it is a movement powering Africa into the next phase of development. Digital access is the foundation of inclusion in commerce, wellbeing and civic engagement. The pathway to growth for Africa is to bring more Africans into the digital ecosystem spanning financial, educational, public health, trade and other streams of innovation.’

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Canon Europe (www.Canon-Europe.com), in partnership with Visa pour l’Image, announces two grants to support long-term documentary projects both in the photography and filmmaking space. Championing the very best in storytelling, the 26th Canon Female Photojournalist Grant celebrates an outstanding photographer in recognition of her contribution to photojournalism, whilst the 7th Canon Video Grant acknowledges those wanting to magnify a social, cultural or economic issue in documentary form. The grants are open to individuals worldwide. Canon Female Photojournalist Grant For the 26th year in a row, Canon and Visa pour l’Image will award an €8,000 grant to a female photojournalist pursuing a long-term documentary project. The grant is designed to either support the completion of an existing project or facilitate the making of a new one. Entries will be judged by a jury of renowned industry experts. In 2025, French photojournalist Marion Péhée was awarded for her long-term project documenting young adults in Ukraine. Former grantees (https://apo-opa.co/41JgwcU) include Anastasia Taylor-Lind, Natalya Saprunova and Acacia Johnson. Canon Video Grant Alongside this, Canon together with Visa pour l’Image are seeking documentary filmmakers for the 7th Canon Video Grant. In 2025, Shiho Fukada, photojournalist and filmmaker, was awarded for her project ‘Echoes of Little Tokyo’, focusing on a fifth-generation funeral home serving Los Angeles' Japanese-American community. The grant winner will receive €8,000, along with a loan of video kit including a Canon video camera and two lenses to make a short documentary of approximately eight minutes in length. Both grants form part of a long-standing partnership between Visa pour l’Image and Canon, celebrating its 37th anniversary this year. The winning projects of 2025 (Marion Péhée and Shiho Fukada's projects) will be presented at this year’s Visa pour l’Image festival in Perpignan, France. How to apply Canon Female Photojournalist Grant: Application window: 18 March – 19 May 2026 Granted to professional photojournalists actively working in the field Worldwide submissions accepted Entry is free Apply here: https://apo-opa.co/4tfKRf4 Canon Video Grant: Application window: 25 March – 27 May 2026 Granted to professional documentary filmmakers actively working in the field Worldwide submissions accepted Entry is free Apply here: https://VisaPourlImage.com

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GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING ARTISTES SET TO GRACE SAFARICOM JAZZ 2018/2019 SEASON

MOST POPULAR

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