First-quarter unit sales for copier/MFP in the office segment have increased, indicating a positive economic trend. Despite the pandemic, certain sectors like legal, financial services, and healthcare continue to invest in office print and capture devices. Digital transformation varies across industries in sub-Saharan Africa, with some sectors advancing more than others. The legal profession, while adopting digital processes, still relies on paper documents. Financial services back-office workers are also producing high volumes of printed documents. Cybersecurity in home office environments is a growing concern. Overall, the print industry's performance and sentiment hint at economic recovery.

The global printer market is expected to face significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with a projected drop of up to 25% before a gradual recovery in 2021 and 2022. The pandemic's impact differs from the 2008-2009 financial crisis, with more sectors affected and China's central role in production exacerbating global effects. South Africa's early response to the pandemic may mitigate some economic damage, and sectors like healthcare may fare better due to increased demand. The article suggests that print vendors should prepare for various recovery scenarios.