E-Business
MEA HCP Market Stagnate for 5th Consecutive Quarter

The Middle East and Africa (MEA) hardcopy peripherals (HCP) market recorded a slight decline of 0.3% year on year in the second quarter of 2013 (Q2 2013), with shipments totaling 1,545,853 units, according to the latest figures from International Data Corporation (IDC), the world’s premier IT and communications market intelligence and events firm.
The market’s revenue growth remained flat over the same period at 0.0%.
“The growth dynamics of the MEA market differed significantly in Q2 2013 from one country to another,” said Mitri Roufka, IDC’s research director for imaging, printing, and document solutions across the CEMA region.
“Political instability in many countries across the region, the ongoing conflict in Syria, Iraq’s deteriorating security and political situation, Iran’s economic and political struggles, Nigeria’s fundamentalist-fueled violence, and socioeconomic and political instability in North Africa are all inhibiting the rapid growth that this far-from-saturated region is capable of. Africa holds the highest growth potential, with an increasing number of manufacturers looking to gain a better foothold in the continent.
This follows the emergence of a group of countries that are experiencing relatively solid political stability and strong economic performance, thereby presenting vendors with real long-term strong growth potential.”
In Q2 2013, inkjet shipments in MEA declined 8.5% in volume and 4.2% in value, year on year. Inkjet vendors are increasingly being challenged by weak consumer demand and a strong preference among businesses and government entities for laser devices.
As such, they are changing their strategies by gradually withdrawing from the extreme entry-level segment (as this segment is evidently not profitable for either hardware or cartridges), increasing their focus on higher-value devices that use less expensive consumables, and targeting the business segment by promoting inkjet technology as a reliable and cost-effective solution for general office printing needs.
In contrast with the inkjet segment, laser shipments grew in Q2 2013, expanding by 9.6% in volume and 2.5% in value.
The growth of the color laser segment was twice as fast as the growth experienced in the mono laser segment. This was primarily driven by the strong performance of MFPs.
According to IDC, looking at the first half of 2013, shipments of A3 devices in the color laser segment grew strongly at 10.4% year on year, while shipments of A4 color laser devices declined 5.3% over the same period; however, the opposite is true in the mono laser segment, where A3 shipments declined 5.8% year on year and A4 shipments increased 4.1%.
Another interesting trend is that shipments of both inkjet and laser devices with no WiFi capability are declining, while shipments of WiFi-enabled inkjet and laser devices are growing.
This is particularly true in the laser segment, where shipments of WiFi-enabled laser devices more than doubled compared to the first half of 2012.
The same trend is taking place in terms of Web/Internet-enabled devices; however, IDC estimates that less than 20% of those devices are in reality actively utilizing this connectivity.
“The gradual shift to laser technology in MEA is not an exceptional trend for this region; it is actually in line with the worldwide trend,” said Roufka.
“However, in MEA, this trend is additionally fueled by the fact that demand for printing devices in the region has been driven primarily by the business and government segments (which opt mainly for laser technology), as the penetration of PCs in the home segment is low when compared to Europe, for example. This stems from the different socioeconomic challenges generally faced by home consumers across MEA, including low income levels, high unemployment, and high rates of illiteracy, particularly in Africa.”
“Another important point is that the relatively low adoption of electronic document processes and document solutions in the MEA business and government segments plays an important role in driving the continuously high requirement for and dependence on paper documents. This, in turn, drives demand for printing devices, and this is not very likely to change in the short or medium term, especially in Africa.
“Assuming the political situation will eventually stabilize across the region, the Middle East and continues to harbor significant growth potential for printer manufacturers,” added Roufka.
E-Business
Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.
Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.
Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity
Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.
When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.
The growing demand for proactive security
One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.
Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.
With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.
Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies
The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.
“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.
Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.
When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.
This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.
As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.
E-Business
Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga
The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.
To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.
Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.
Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”
He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”
Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.
As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.
Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.
E-Business
Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.
When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.
At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.
“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.
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