logo
APO Group Wins Gold and Bronze at the 2025 Davos Communications Awards for Canon Central and North Africa Campaigns

APO Group Wins Gold and Bronze at the 2025 Davos Communications Awards for Canon Central and North Africa Campaigns

Zawya03-06-2025
APO Group (www.APO-opa.com), the leading Pan-African communications and media relations consultancy, has earned two major accolades at the prestigious 2025 Davos Communications Awards held on 11 April 2025, in Davos, Switzerland: a Gold Award for Canon's 'World Unseen' campaign at GITEX Africa and a Bronze Award for the '10 Years of Miraisha' celebration. The Davos Communications Awards, presented by the World Communications Forum Association (WCFA), recognise exceptional communications firms, experts, and internal teams that have produced excellence and achieved quantifiable impact worldwide.
Canon's World Unseen Experience, which won Gold, was a PR event that broke new ground. It launched at GITEX Africa, enabling individuals who have lost their sight or are visually impaired to experience the power of photography, unlike ever before. By providing an opportunity to engage with photography through various sensory inputs, Canon challenged societal perceptions and broke new ground in the field of inclusive technology.
The Miraisha campaign, which earned Bronze, marked 10 years of Canon's youth programme in Africa. It did this through stories, getting people involved and grabbing attention from big media outlets.
These awards add to a growing list of international accolades for APO Group in the past year, including:
Africa's Leading PR Agency 2025 – Brands Review Magazine
Most Innovative Woman of the Year 2025 Bronze Stevie® Awards category – Rania El-Rafie, Vice President, PR&Strategic Communications at APO Group
Five Awards at the 2023 SABRE Awards Africa – including wins for excellence in reputation management, brand building, and social media strategy
Founder and Chairman of APO Group Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard added: 'From Canon to many other remarkable partners, these accolades reflect the strength of our collaborations and our commitment to promoting positive narratives across the continent. APO Group continues to lead the way in shaping Africa's communications landscape.'
Somesh Adukia, Managing Director of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA), commented:
"At Canon, we are driven by a purpose that goes beyond imaging—it's about creating stories that inspire, empower, and drive positive change. 'World Unseen' is a testament to our commitment to inclusivity, bringing to light perspectives that are often overlooked, while '10 Years of Miraisha Programme' represents a decade of empowering African talent, nurturing creativity, and providing opportunities across the continent'.
'Our partnership with APO Group has been instrumental in bringing these stories to life. Their deep understanding of the African media landscape, combined with their strategic storytelling approach, has helped amplify our vision and connect with diverse audiences across the region. These award-winning campaigns are not just milestones; they are proof of the impact we can achieve together.
'We are proud of what we have accomplished with APO Group and look forward to continuing this journey, creating initiatives that leave a lasting impact and drive meaningful change for Canon and the communities we serve'.
As APO Group continues to elevate African stories to the global stage, these awards strengthen its standing as the top pan-African PR and communications firm, trusted by multinational corporations, organisations, governments, NGOs and the media.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of APO Group.
Media contact:
marie@apo-opa.com
About APO Group:
Founded in 2007, APO Group (www.APO-opa.com) is the leading award-winning pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service. Renowned for our deep-rooted African expertise and expansive global perspective, we specialise in elevating the reputation and brand equity of private and public organisations across Africa. As a trusted partner, our mission is to harness the power of media, crafting bespoke strategies that drive tangible, measurable impact both on the continent and globally.
Our commitment to excellence and innovation has been recognised with multiple prestigious awards, including a PRovoke Media Global SABRE Award and multiple PRovoke Media Africa SABRE Awards. In 2023, we were named the Leading Public Relations Firm Africa and the Leading Pan-African Communications Consultancy Africa in the World Business Outlook Awards, and the Best Public Relations and Media Consultancy of the Year South Africa in 2024 in the same awards. In 2025, Brands Review Magazine acknowledged us as the Leading Communications Consultancy in Africa for the second consecutive year. They also named us the Best PR Agency and the Leading Press Release Distribution Platform in Africa in 2024. Additionally, in 2025, the Davos Communications Awards 2025 awarded us the Gold Award for Best PR Campaign and the Bronze Award for Special Event.
APO Group's esteemed clientele, which includes global giants such as Canon, Nestlé, Western Union, the UNDP, Network International, African Energy Chamber, Mercy Ships, Marriott, Africa's Business Heroes, and Liquid Intelligent Technologies, reflects our unparalleled ability to navigate the complex African media landscape. With a multicultural team across Africa, we offer unmatched, truly pan-African insights, expertise, and reach across the continent. APO Group is dedicated to reshaping narratives about Africa, challenging stereotypes, and bringing inspiring African stories to global audiences, with our expertise in developing and supporting public relations campaigns worldwide uniquely positioning us to amplify brand messaging, enhance reputations, and connect effectively with target audiences.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Energean Deepens African Gas Focus Ahead of Silver Partnership at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025
Energean Deepens African Gas Focus Ahead of Silver Partnership at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

Zawya

time6 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Energean Deepens African Gas Focus Ahead of Silver Partnership at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025

International hydrocarbon exploration and production company Energean will participate as a Silver Partner at this year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. The company enters the conference with a deepened focus on Egypt's natural gas sector. The company aims to optimize its offshore concessions in the country and plans to integrate its three existing licenses – Abu Qir, North El Amriya and North Idku – in the Nile Delta region to streamline costs and enhance productivity. Energean recently launched an infill drilling campaign in the Abu Qir concession. A well drilled from the North Abu Qir PII platform discovered 270 feet of net play in the BKES-1 and Abu Madi formations – double the pre-drill estimate. The well confirmed gas in place between 87 and 129 billion cubic feet and identified a possible 55-foot liquids column, with first production scheduled to begin later this year. As part of its 2025 strategy, Energean is preparing to drill its low-cost East Bir Nus concession in Egypt's Western Desert and is pursuing near-field drilling opportunities around Abu Qir. The company is also targeting deeper horizons with Abu Qir to access untapped resources and accelerate gas-to-market timelines. Beyond Egypt, Energean continues to advocate for a pan-African approach to natural gas development, calling for accelerated timelines, regulatory clarity and stronger regional cooperation to unlock the continent's vast untapped resources. The company recently emphasized that Africa's energy transformation requires bold leadership and integrated planning, noting that natural gas can play a central role in industrialization, job creation and long-term energy security. Energean is also actively engaging with African governments and stakeholders to share technical expertise, promote infrastructure-led growth and support the development of gas value chains that are both economically and environmentally sustainable. Following an announcement in December 2024 that Energean would target new acquisitions across Africa, along with the Balkans, the UK and the North Sea, the company is actively reshaping its portfolio around high-impact, development-ready assets. This strategic shift comes in the wake of the divestment of mature assets and signals a renewed focus on frontier and underdeveloped regions, where Energean can apply its proven development model. 'Energean's continued investment in Egypt and its broader commitment to unlocking Africa's gas potential reflect exactly the kind of pragmatic, forward-looking energy leadership we need. Their integrated approach to development, combined with deep technical capability, positions them as a key partner in driving energy access, industrial growth and long-term security across the continent,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) announces fourth Unstoppable Africa flagship event in New York
Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) announces fourth Unstoppable Africa flagship event in New York

Zawya

time21 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) announces fourth Unstoppable Africa flagship event in New York

The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) ( will convene the fourth edition of its annual flagship event, Unstoppable Africa, on September 21-22, 2025, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York. CNN's Larry Madowo and Al Jazeera's Folly Bah Thibault will return as MCs. Unstoppable Africa is the leading African business forum outside the continent. Hosted by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union, the event will take place just before the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Unstoppable Africa aims to accelerate the continent's economic transformation and empower Africa to lead in shaping the markets of tomorrow. The global landscape is shifting rapidly with trade tensions, evolving alliances, and supply chain disruptions redefining the rules of international trade and commerce. For Africa, these changes present not just challenges but also a significant opportunity. Africa must lead, define its path, and shape its markets. That's why the theme of Unstoppable Africa 2025 is both timely and imperative: The BIG Push: Africa Shapes the Markets. Since its launch in 2022, GABI has brought together more than 8,000 participants, including 10 Heads of State, Government Ministers, corporate executives, investors, philanthropists, academics, artists and designers, stars of sports and screen and UN leaders, to focus on Africa's economic agenda. This year's flagship event will explore how Africa can adapt to global changes and take the lead in areas like Energy, Digital Transformation, Trade, the Creative Economy, and Sport. Key Discussions and Featured Speakers Issues up for discussion at this year's event include: Critical Minerals and Value Chains: Strategic dialogue on harnessing Africa's resources such as lithium, cobalt, graphite, and rare earths, through value addition, processing, and innovation. Unlocking Capital: Innovative financing mechanisms to fuel local enterprises, SMEs, and transformative infrastructure projects. Technology and Market Access: Case studies on how digital innovation is overcoming logistical barriers and connecting African businesses to new frontiers. AfCFTA in Action: Exploring how deeper regional integration can boost intra-African trade and strengthen supply chain resilience. A special fireside chat will feature Luol Deng, former NBA All-Star, real estate investor, and philanthropist, known for his extensive investments in African energy and property sectors as well as his commitment to youth empowerment. Another highlight will be an innovation-focused conversation with Silas Adekunle, Nigerian-born robotics engineer, inventor, and tech entrepreneur, globally recognized for creating the 'MekaMon' gaming robot and for pioneering robotics education to equip the next generation of African innovators. Other speakers confirmed so far include Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom; Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, Naspers; Martin Ochien'g, CEO, Sasini; Veronica Bolton Smith, CEO, Critical Minerals Africa Group; Dr. George Elombi, Incoming President, African Import-Export Bank (Afreximbank); Tshepo Mahloele, Chairman, Harith General Partners; Samaila Zubairu, President&CEO, African Finance Corporation; Amina J Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General; Sanda Ojiambo, UN Assistant Secretary-General&CEO, UN Global Compact; Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa; Nardos Bekele-Thomas ( CEO, NEPAD; Olivier Laouchez, co-founder, Trace; Marcus Samuelsson, Chef and Author; Ndivhuwo 'Elaine' Mukheli, singer-songwriter; Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone and Omoyemi Akelere, CEO, Lagos Fashion Week. In the run up to the event, GABI has started a social media campaign on LinkedIn, X and Instagram asking leaders and influencers to answer the question What Makes Africa Unstoppable? ( By mobilizing personal reflections and stories that inspire, the campaign seeks to spark a wave of organic, high-impact social media engagement. Follow the campaign using #UnstoppableAfrica and #GABI. While the New York event is by invitation only, registration is now open for participants wishing to attend virtually. For more information and to sign up, visit: GABI is coordinated by the UN Global Compact in partnership with the Economic Commission for Africa, UNDP Africa, Sustainable Energy for All, International Telecommunications Union, International Trade Centre, and the Office for the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Africa. For more information about the Global Africa Business Initiative and Unstoppable Africa event, please visit the GABI Website: Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Global Africa Business Initiative.

Mozambique President Extols Adesina's Transformative Decade at African Development Bank
Mozambique President Extols Adesina's Transformative Decade at African Development Bank

Zawya

time21 minutes ago

  • Zawya

Mozambique President Extols Adesina's Transformative Decade at African Development Bank

Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo has lauded Dr. Akinwumi Adesina for a decade of 'transforming ambition into outcomes' as President of the African Development Bank Group ( crediting his leadership with improving millions of lives across the continent. Opening Africa50 General Shareholders Meeting in Maputo on Wednesday, President Chapo thanked Adesina for his impact at both the Bank and as Board Chair of Africa50, an investment platform created by African governments and the Bank to close the continent's infrastructure funding gap. 'Your legacy is not just institutional but impacting the lives of Africans, and we thank you and wish you the most success for what the future has in store for you,' President Chapo said. Africa50 CEO, Alain Ebobissé, also paid tribute to Adesina, highlighting the success of the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA), which Adesina initiated with other partners to mobilize capital to catalyze up to $10 billion green infrastructure opportunities for private sector investment. A fireside chat, moderated by Nozipho Mbanjwa-Tshabalala, CEO of the Conversation Strategists, explored Adesina's legacy of institutional transformation, record-breaking achievements, and renewed global confidence in Africa's development prospects. In his comments, Adesina called for Africa's vision to be bold and collective, and translated into tangible results, particularly in providing critical infrastructure such as power generation as a foundation for growth. 'Economies that don't have power can never grow. It's a direct correlation with your GDP growth and access to electricity. You can't create jobs, you can't industrialize, and sadly, you are not going to industrialize and be competitive in the dark,' Adesina emphasised. Challenging perceptions of high investment risk in Africa, he cited Moody's data showing cumulative losses on Africa infrastructure investments of just 1.9 percent over 15 years -- lower than in other regions. 'Africa is not as risky as it is perceived -- You can invest in Africa, get great returns in Africa, and have great institutions like us that will always be there beside you, making sure your capital not only comes, your capital stays, your capital grows, and you can take your capital back.' On youth, Adesina stressed the need to turn Africa's 420 million young people into an economic asset. 'Everything we do needs to be focused on African youth -- If you don't create youth-based wealth, who is going to pay the taxes in the future?' A Decade of Unprecedented Growth and Impact Under Adesina's leadership, the African Development Bank broke records, including growing its capital from $93 billion in 2015 to $318 billion in 2024. This remarkable growth enabled the Bank's flagship "High 5s" initiatives to impact the lives of 565 million Africans across critical areas, including energy access, food security, industrialization, regional integration, and quality of life improvements. The Bank was ranked the best multilateral financing institution in the world for two consecutive years and maintained AAA credit ratings throughout his tenure, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Africa50: From Vision to Global Infrastructure Leader Adesina's achievements also extended Africa50, which grew from a concept to a major infrastructure facilitator with, among others, $1.4 billion in managed assets with total portfolio company value exceeding $8 billion, 33 active projects spanning energy, transport, digital infrastructure, healthcare, and education across 32 countries and $275 million raised for the Africa Infrastructure Acceleration Fund from over 20 African institutional investors As Adesina prepares to handover the leadership of the African Development Bank on 01 September 2025, he said 'My legacy is not a personal one. My legacy is an Africa strong enough to deliver finance for its transformation at scale -- we have come of age, and we can handle issues by ourselves and deliver. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Media Contact: Emeka Anuforo Communication and External Relations Department Email: media@ About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store