CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage and AXON Networks (AXON), a global leader in intelligent network platforms, today announced a strategic partnership to co-develop, deploy, and manage Africa’s first end-to-end Operator-as-a-Service (OaaS) platform.

Cassava Technologies, a global technology leader of African heritage and AXON Networks (AXON), a global leader in intelligent network platforms, today announced a strategic partnership to co-develop, deploy, and manage Africa’s first end-to-end Operator-as-a-Service (OaaS) platform.

A bold step in unlocking Africa’s AI and digital future, customers and service providers will leverage AXON’s AI-ready, real-time, multi-tenant, digital twin-enabled platform across Cassava’s extensive high-speed fibre backbone to connect millions of people and businesses across the continent and unlock new pathways for economic development and innovation.

The partnership was announced at Counder Conference 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, the flagship event of the Counder visionary leadership network, where 500 global investors, family office principals and corporate decision-makers meet for one of the largest international private capital gatherings ever assembled in the Southern Hemisphere.

“As businesses of all sizes continue to digitise their operations, the need is for cost-effective, flexible, high-performance network solutions that reduce time-consuming manual design and configurations. By partnering with AXON Networks, we are moving beyond traditional hardware-centric infrastructure to create a truly programmable, AI-managed network, which will significantly reduce operational costs and increase access to customers and service providers”, said Hardy Pemhiwa, President & Group CEO of Cassava Technologies. “This transformation allows us to treat our pan-continental fibre network as a dynamic digital platform, enabling us to provision and modify customer networks in near real-time, rather than days or weeks. We are going beyond connectivity to becoming a partner in the digital transformation journeys of our customers”.

This AI-first connectivity platform becomes the foundation for accelerating digital transformation for African businesses of all sizes, including other telecommunications service providers. The Operator-as-a-Service platform will deliver secure, private, high-speed data infrastructure, enabling mobile network operators, LEO satellite providers and internet service providers (ISPs) with unprecedented agility, intelligence, and reach. It is designed to support these service providers in unlocking new opportunities for growth, innovation, and AI adoption.

“Partnering with Cassava, with its unmatched fibre footprint across the continent and investment in AI-enabled data centres, to integrate our Operator-as-a-Service platform with real-time digital twin technology at this scale, is incredibly exciting,” said Martin Manniche, CEO and founder of AXON Networks. “We’re not just mirroring networks — we’re virtualising an entire infrastructure into a live AI-driven ecosystem that will leverage this extensive backbone, including Cassava’s planned AI-powered factory, to bring growth, prosperity, and the promise of AI sovereignty to Africa and its people. This is a transformational opportunity to provide the foundational platform for the AI economy across the African continent and redefine the future for generations to come, and we couldn’t have found a  better partner than Cassava to bring this vision to fruition.”

“We are honored that Cassava Technologies and AXON Networks have chosen Counder Conference 2026 as the platform for this groundbreaking announcement,” said Michel Weiss, Founding Partner and CEO, and Leonard Stiegeler, Founding Partner and Chairman of Counder. “This partnership exemplifies exactly what Counder is designed to foster: trusted connections between visionary leaders that spark meaningful collaboration and drive tangible impact. When world-class organizations come together in Cape Town to advance their work in emerging trends & markets, we see the power of our mission in action: connecting leaders to collaborate on tomorrow’s most important opportunities.”

AXON’s breakthrough OaaS solution creates a living, dynamic model of Cassava’s fibre network, comprising more than 110,000 km of terrestrial and submarine fibre, satellite capacity, and wireless connectivity. By turning networks into self-learning, autonomous, self-optimising systems, AXON’s Digital Twin technology reduces operational complexity, accelerates service delivery, introduces cost efficiencies, and ensures resilient connectivity at scale.

About Cassava Technologies

Cassava Technologies is a global technology leader of African heritage providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure enabling digital transformation. Headquartered in the UK, Cassava has a presence across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America. Through its business units, namely, Cassava AI, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Liquid C2, Africa Data Centres, and Sasai Fintech, the company provides its customers’ products and services in 94 countries. These solutions drive the company’s ambition of establishing itself as a leading global technology company of African heritage. https://www.cassavatechnologies.com/

About AXON Networks

AXON Networks is a global leader in intelligent network platforms, known for its award-winning Digital Twin technology that enables real-time, predictive, and self-optimizing operations. Its operator-as-a-service platform is used by service providers and enterprises worldwide to unlock the full potential of advanced networks, accelerate new services, and deliver superior customer experiences. AXON Network’s platforms are relied upon by over 30 leading global operators to enhance the broadband experiences and optimize the advanced services delivery to over 87 million broadband households and businesses.

Media Contacts:

Guyer Group

John O’Malley
+1 585-261-5899
john@guyergroup.com 

Deidre Hart
+1 732-407-1062
deidre@guyergroup.com

Press Images HERE

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Malaysian International Food & Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB) 2026 returns with a renewed national focus, positioning Malaysia’s food and beverage industry as a connected domestic ecosystem built to scale, supported by strong international participation.

Anchored by the theme “Future-Ready F&B: Powering the Next Wave,” MIFB 2026 builds on 25 years of industry experience to operate as a trade-first platform that empowers Malaysians. Alongside Malaysia Café Expo (MCE) and MyFoodTech, the platform connects the entire F&B value chain from homegrown brands to international players, unlocking market access, capability development, and export readiness through a comprehensive ecosystem aligned with regional demand – reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a future-ready ASEAN F&B trade hub.

Beyond product showcasing, MIFB 2026 brings together local and international SMEs, distributors, brand owners, manufacturers, marketers, innovation partners, and volume buyers, and serves as a central touchpoint for industry insights, emerging trends, and evolving business models. Supported by strong international participation, the platform enables companies to benchmark against global standards, gain practical market intelligence, and strengthen their capabilities.

Driving Buyer Matchmaking and Trade Outcomes

A key pillar of MIFB 2026 is its curated Buyer Programme, which prioritises organisations actively seeking innovative products, international partnerships, and cross-border sourcing opportunities both locally and internationally. Participating buyer profiles include:

• Retailers, hypermarkets, and supermarkets
• Convenience store operators
• Distributors, wholesalers, and importers
• Hoteliers and hospitality groups
• Restaurants, café operators, and foodservice providers
• Airline caterers, cruise liners, and in-flight service providers
• Entertainment venues, leisure operators, and institutional buyers

A Launchpad for Innovation and Future-Ready Food Ecosystems

MIFB 2026 brings together MCE and MyFoodTech to create an all-in-one integrated space that highlights key growth segments shaping the future of F&B, with Malaysian and international exhibitors contributing complementary capabilities across:

1. Ready-To-Eat (RTE), Ready-To-Cook (RTC), Ready-To-Drink (RTD)
2. Halal-certified products
3. Fresh, chilled & frozen seafood
4. Technology & solution providers for F&B, such as kitchen equipment, automation, and foodservice technologies
5. Café ecosystem from café equipment, coffee, bakery, patisserie, franchise, and licensing brands

Empowering The Next Generation of Malaysian Talent

As part of its annual programme, MIFB and MCE 2026 will host the Malaysia National Coffee Championship (MNCC), organised in strategic partnership with the Malaysia Specialty Coffee Association (MSCA), the only World Coffee Events (WCE) licensed competition body in Malaysia. The championship crowns four national champions to represent Malaysia at the World Coffee Championships (WCC), serving as the definitive national platform to recognise, benchmark, and elevate Malaysian coffee talent on the global stage.

The 2026 programme will also feature a series of trade-driven highlights designed to spark innovation, share market insight, and encourage cross-sector collaboration among local and international companies, including:

• Knowledge Hub & Live Theatre – expert-led sessions covering emerging trends, innovation and business solutions, offering practical insights and fresh perspectives
• Halal Certification Workshop – guidance on halal certification requirements, application procedures, regulatory frameworks and management systems
• Chef Table – an immersive space bringing buyers and creators together to explore culinary innovation and business potential

Participation and Registration
Malaysian food and beverage companies are encouraged to participate in MIFB, Malaysia Café Expo and MyFoodTech 2026 to connect with buyers and partners actively seeking Made in Malaysia products and solutions, as well as international collaborators that support capability building and market expansion. Retailers, distributors, hospitality groups, and foodservice operators are invited to register for the Buyer Programme to engage directly with both Malaysian and international exhibitors.

MIFB 2026 is open to trade visitors and participants only. For registration and more information, please visit https://mifb.com.my/exhibit/

-END-

For more information, please contact Mutant Communications:
Name: Wei Chang Wong
Contact: malaysia-international-food-beverage@mutant.com.sg

About MIFB

The Malaysian International Food and Beverage Trade Fair (MIFB) is the country’s leading food and beverage trade event. For over 25 years, the annual industry event has connected local, regional, and international businesses to consumers and stakeholders across the F&B value chain throughout the ASEAN region.

As the strategic gateway to Southeast Asia, MIFB connects international manufacturers, established regional players, and homegrown innovators on a single platform to drive sustainable and meaningful business growth. Co-located with MyFoodTech and Malaysia Café Expo (MCE), MIFB empowers businesses to navigate market complexities, access new export pathways, and champion the innovations shaping the future of food. MIFB is organised by Constellar and endorsed by MATRADE.

About Constellar

Constellar is Asia’s preferred partner for convening businesses, curating ideas and creating opportunities for sustainable business growth and global impact.

Based in Singapore with a regional footprint in Malaysia, we curate and develop influential trade and consumer events for key industries, connecting global marketplaces in sectors such as fintech, industrial transformation and ESG. We also manage the Singapore EXPO, Singapore’s largest purpose-built venue for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE).

Our vision is to be a global leader made in Asia, activating impactful networks to enable cross-industry collaboration and innovation through our holistic portfolio of intellectual properties (IP) in the MICE industry.

BANGKOK and BANDUNG, Indonesia, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —  As the new year begins, Yili Group continues to build momentum in Southeast Asia. Recently, Yili’s subsidiaries in Thailand and Indonesia successfully held their 2026 Top Partners Conferences in Bangkok and Bandung, respectively. The events gathered over 120 partners in Bangkok and 263 partners in Bandung from Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and beyond to celebrate collaboration and explore new opportunities for mutual growth.

As Yili deepens its global footprint, the company is advancing steadily across Southeast Asia and the world, working together with partners to shape the future of the international dairy industry.

Localization Strategy Delivers Results

In 2025, despite a complex global environment and intensifying competition, Yili remained committed to its localization strategy and delivered impressive results.

In Indonesia, Joyday ice cream achieved another breakthrough, becoming the only brand in the local industry to see growth in purchase conversion. In Thailand, Cremo ice cream continued to expand its market share and brand recognition, making significant strides in brand building, product innovation, channel expansion, and corporate social responsibility.

Unveiling Innovative New Products

Guided by the philosophy “No Innovation, No Future,” Yili leveraged deep insights into local consumer trends to develop a range of new products, which were officially unveiled at the conferences.

The new lineup received high praise from distributors for their rich flavor, innovative designs, and eye-catching packaging. One distributor commented, “Yili always has a precise grasp of consumer needs. These new products maintain the brand’s standard of excellence while achieving breakthroughs in flavor and versatility. We are confident they will achieve great market success!”

Embarking on a New Journey with Partners

During the conferences, Yili expressed sincere gratitude to its long-term partners and recognized outstanding distributors with awards.

From the launch of Joyday in Indonesia to the revitalization of Cremo in Thailand, Yili has built a strong foundation of mutual trust with Southeast Asian partners. At the Bandung event, a long-term partner noted, “After seven years of collaboration, Yili has proven that when we stand together, anything is possible.”

Similarly, at the Thailand conference, a distributor shared, “Collaborating with Yili in 2025 has been a rewarding, win-win experience. Their high-quality products, targeted marketing, and comprehensive support have continuously strengthened our competitiveness in the local market.”

Yili Group remains dedicated to expanding its presence in Southeast Asia and beyond. By strengthening brands, optimizing products, expanding channels, and consolidating infrastructure, Yili will continue to work with global partners to build a “Global Health Ecosystem,” delivering higher-quality and more diverse health products to consumers worldwide.

A six-day celebration of master artisans, live demonstrations, and hands-on cultural experiences in the heart of Tokyo

TOKYO, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From Wednesday, February 18 to Monday, February 23, 2026, Matsuya Ginza will host the 4th Annual Japan Traditional Crafts Ginza Artisan’s Street, Ginza Meishoichi, a six-day showcase bringing together master artisans and traditional Japanese crafts from approximately 90 regions across Japan.

Organized by The Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries and hosted at Matsuya Ginza, the annual event offers visitors a rare opportunity to encounter, purchase, and experience exceptional craftsmanship, directly from the artisans who create it.

https://meishoichi.kougeihin.jp/

Matsuya Ginza proudly hosts the Traditional Crafts Ginza Artisan’s Street, named Ginza Meishoichi in Japanese, every February. The luxury department store’s strong design sensibility and close relationships with regional producers provide an ideal platform to present Japan’s traditional crafts to a global audience and play a role in preserving Japan’s traditional arts.

This year, Ginza Meishoichi 2026 brings together the crafts and artisans that have carved and molded Japan, providing visitors with opportunities to meet artisans, observe traditional techniques, acquire unique works, and directly support the future of Japan’s artisanal talent. Matsuya Ginza’s 8th-floor event space will be transformed into a workshop and showroom of some of Japan’s most intricate and intriguing crafts, created by top artisans from across the country.

Preserving Tradition, Sharing with the World

Building on the success of last year’s event, Ginza Meishoichi 2026 will present an even richer program of regional folk crafts and Traditional Craft Products, officially designated by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. Visitors can explore a wide variety of beautifully crafted items from around 90 regions across the length and breadth of Japan, as well as experience a schedule of live demonstrations of artisanal techniques.

Crafts featured this year will include live loom weaving from Oshima, Arita and Imari porcelain making and decorating, Wajima lacquerware production, and hand-dyeing demonstrations from Kyoto. Visitors will also have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the crafting of traditional Ise-shimenawa (sacred rope-making) techniques from Ise Jingu, one of Japan’s most important Shinto sites. Other traditional crafts featured include Ise katagami stencil dyeing, which dates back to the Kamakura period (1185-1333); Japanese blacksmithing; kokeshi doll wood turning and painting; and Fukuoka Prefecture’s Hakata ningyo clay doll making. Each exhibited product will feature a QR code allowing visitors to instantly access detailed information in English, making the event accessible for international guests.

Visitors can also participate in seven hands-on workshops available by reservation, with participation fees ranging from ¥1,000 to ¥8,800. Workshops include:

• Ceramic chopstick rest-making
• Kyo-yuzen hand-dyeing
• Ouchi lacquerware painting
• Karakuri paper joint-folding
• Cypress wood octagonal chopstick-making
• Gilded washi postcard-crafting
• Traditional stone colouring

Images: https://x.gd/dQ8ao

Factbook: https://x.gd/MC1tR

About Matsuya Co., Ltd:

Matsuya Co., Ltd has a 150-year legacy in Japan’s luxury landscape. Over the years, it evolved from a kimono retailer to two landmark department stores in Tokyo’s Ginza and Asakusa districts. Its flagship store, Matsuya Ginza, opened in 1925 and has remained a prominent name in Japan’s luxury department store sector ever since. Its storied history, design leadership, and focus on forward-thinking retail have seen Matsuya continue to expand, driven by a vision to create lasting value.

More information about Matsuya Co., Ltd is available at https://www.matsuyaginza.com/en/

Event Overview

• Event Name: 4th Annual Japan Traditional Crafts Ginza Artisan’s Street
• Dates: February 18 (Wed) – February 23 (Mon, public holiday), 2026
• Hours: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Closes at 5:00 PM on the final day)
• Venue: Matsuya Ginza, Tokyo
• Number of Exhibitors: Around 90 from all across Japan
• Live Demonstrations: 10
• Workshops: 7
• Admission: Free

Website: https://meishoichi.kougeihin.jp/

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On September 23, 2025, AION V, GAC’s global strategic model, was officially launched in Finland. As the third market in Europe where GAC has officially launched its products, Finland marks another milestone in the implementation of GAC’s “European Market Plan”, signifying that high-quality Chinese pure electric vehicles are accelerating their integration into the Nordic automotive ecosystem.

The entry of AION V into the Finnish market is a key step in GAC’s “European Market Plan.Tailored to Finland’s core market demands for environmental protection, safety, and space, the newly launched AION V demonstrates the dual advantages of “technological adaptation and experience enhancement”.

AION V successfully obtained a five-star safety rating in the 2025 Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) test. It offers a WLTP range of 510 kilometers and supports ultra-fast charging – it only takes 24 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%. With a wheelbase of 2,775 millimeters, it provides a spacious interior.

Currently, AION V has been officially launched in Finland. With the combination of “beyond-class configuration and affordable price”, AION V is set to become a highly attractive new option for pure electric vehicles in the Nordic market.

GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The GAC Indonesia Smart Factory was officially completed and commenced operations in Jakarta. This modern “Lighthouse Factory”, embodying both green values and smart manufacturing, marks not only a major milestone in GAC’s commitment to Southeast Asia, but also the full implementation of the One GAC 2.0 global strategy in Indonesia, officially ushering in a new chapter of “In Indonesia, For Indonesia.”

Just as Wei Haigang, President of GAC INTERNATIONAL, stated in his speech: “Indonesia is not only a vital node in GAC’s global expansion but also a key frontier for our high-quality overseas development strategy. The establishment of this smart factory reflects GAC’s long-term commitment. We will remain steadfast in promoting localized operations and continue contributing to Indonesia’s economic growth, industrial upgrade, and green transformation.”

As the cornerstone of GAC’s strategy in the Indonesian market, the smart factory is guided by the philosophy of “small scale, fast output, and phased development”. It fully adopts the advanced manufacturing system of GAC’s NEV Lighthouse Factories, achieving 100% interconnectivity of production data. From smart manufacturing to full AI-powered parts monitoring via machine vision, GAC is leveraging robust technological capabilities to ensure top-tier product quality.

Under the theme “Ignite the Lighthouse, Driving the Future,” GAC officially launched the “One GAC 2.0” Indonesia Action Plan, focusing on six key dimensions — product, channel, service, smart manufacturing, energy ecosystem, and mobility ecosystem — to create a sustainable, localized, and systematic operational model. This plan not only aligns with GAC’s global One GAC strategy and the “Panyu Action” for international market development but also reflects the company’s long-term commitment to deeply cultivating the Indonesian market and expanding its impact across the entire ASEAN region.

From “going out” to “getting in” to truly “integrating in,” GAC is taking a systematic, long-term approach to internationalization, actively contributing to the global reshaping of the new energy vehicle industry. This smart factory is more than a boost in production capacity — it is a profound commitment to a sustainable future. As the One GAC 2.0 strategy continues to evolve, GAC is poised to shine on the global stage with technology, trust, and innovation, proudly showcasing the strength of Chinese automotive brands.