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The cost of fuel has risen sharply, with Brent crude oil hitting a 14-year high in recent weeks
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 31, 2022/ — Energy experts say the growing oil crisis across the globe is a wake-up call for the African continent to be become less dependent on foreign oil supplies.
 The cost of fuel has risen sharply, with Brent crude oil hitting a 14-year high in recent weeks. It remains firmly above $100 per barrel at the time of publication. With the military conflict in Ukraine, concerns have arisen around the world’s ability to meet its energy needs. The United States and the United Kingdom have banned Russian oil imports, with the European Union under pressure to follow suit. “Nobody really anticipated needing to grow significantly,” Vicki Hollub, chief executive of Occidental Petroleum said during a recent conference in Texas (https://nyti.ms/3NCxrG3). “That’s the challenge now. If you didn’t plan for growth, you’re not going to be able to achieve growth today.” Regardless of the outcome, the squeeze is being felt across the globe. Some governments have decided to subsidise their citizens’ energy bills, or to reduce the cost of public transport, as has been the case in New Zealand (https://bit.ly/3NDe5QQ). What about Africa? “African countries are re-evaluating their energy mix options,” says Paul Sinclair, vice president of energy for Africa Oil Week (Africa-OilWeek.com/Home), the continent’s leading energy conference. “There are untapped oil and gas reserves in Africa which we believe should be developed with good carbon management strategies. Oil and gas offer solutions to regional and international energy demand” says Sinclair. “Whilst the world transitions to low carbon it is imperative that Africa develop its upstream capabilities alongside renewable energy solutions which will result in a win-win for all” Sinclair says African countries are re-thinking their approach to energy. “I expect we will see a major shift in policies in many countries to address their energy needs, amidst this crisis, when heads of state, ministers, business leaders and stakeholders gather at Africa Oil Week 2022 in Cape Town, October 3rd – 7th.” Sinclair says Africa’s energy requirements need to factor in the economic imperatives of the continent. “According to the United Nations (https://bit.ly/3IUviBN), an estimated 490 million people live below the poverty line and less than half of African countries have experienced inclusive growth in over twenty years,” says Sinclair. “By adding an energy crisis to the mix, I have little doubt that we will see a strategic review in this sector.” However, oil and gas are not the only options for Africa. The Green Energy Africa Summit, also in Cape Town October 3rd – 7th, will be delivered alongside Africa Oil Week to ensure the overall energy mix is addressed from nation to nation. The events together will allow delegates to get a 360-degree view of the sector during a time of disruption. Only 18 (https://bit.ly/3DslCgE) of Africa’s 55 nations currently produce oil, led by Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and Egypt. Together, they produce less than 10% (https://bit.ly/36YlcCH) of the world’s output. “When you study the numbers, you can see that Africa has no choice in the current circumstances to increase its energy security,” says Sinclair. This is already happening. South Africa has been exploring potential gas deposits off its coastline, while the Gambia is looking to license two oil-exploration sites in coming months. Mozambique and Tanzania have reportedly discovered crude oil, while exploration (https://bit.ly/373AWEk) has been undertaken in some other African countries, such as Chad, Sudan, and Namibia. Approximately 2 400 hydrocarbon deposits (https://bit.ly/3tUuNUj) have been discovered in Africa, 700 of them large enough for significant exploration. “2022 will be a significant year in the African energy sector” predicts Sinclair. “The continent knows it needs to expand its production of hydrocarbons and renewable energy production if its economies are to remain competitive. We expect this will be an area of high investment,” he says. About Africa Oil Week and the Green Energy Africa Summit The Africa Oil Week offers 4 days of pioneering insights, from ministerial panels to strategic outlooks designed to drive investment into the African upstream for the benefit of the continent. At the heart of the event are some of the most compelling insights into the upstream strategies of governments from across the continent. These extensive and varied networking opportunities have resulted in an unprecedented return of delegates year after year. AOW is globally renowned for bringing the most senior delegates together each year. In 2021, AOW welcomed 30+ Ministers and Government Leaders, 2,000+ C-level delegates, representatives, and hundreds of SVPs and VPs of Africa, Exploration and New Ventures – making the event the most influential energy conference in Africa. Whilst Africa Oil Week will retain its own identity as a pure-play Hydrocarbons event to advocate upstream development. The Green Energy Africa Summit will also play its role in driving enabling environments to ensure foreign direct investment is deployed into game-changing projects that will reduce the energy deficit and provide energy access for all across the continent. Bookings To learn more about how you can get involved, whether to exhibit, sponsor, or attend as a delegate, click here (https://bit.ly/3wVxc2L). Enqu |
![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")
