TechCrier, Lagos (2026)

25/03/2026

Nigeria’s tax compliance just got an automation upgrade.

TaxStreem has launched a new platform designed to help businesses manage taxes automatically by embedding compliance directly into everyday financial workflows.

The system connects to bank accounts, invoicing tools, email, and WhatsApp Business, then aggregates transactions into structured tax records. From there, it calculates obligations, files returns, and keeps audit-ready documentation in real time.

The goal is simple: remove the manual stress of tax compliance, especially for SMEs that struggle with scattered financial data, complex regulations, and missed deadlines.

TaxStreem was built by co-founders Kelechi Ibe and Sam Ayo, combining tax law expertise with AI-driven automation to tackle one of the biggest operational headaches for businesses.

The bigger trend is clear. As companies move toward digital payments and online invoicing, tax compliance is becoming the next workflow to automate.

If tools like TaxStreem gain traction, businesses may soon handle taxes the same way they handle payments automatically in the background.

Would you trust an AI-powered platform to handle your business taxes?

Read More on Techcrier: https://www.techcrier.com/2026/03/taxstreem-launches-automation-platform.html

TaxStreem Launches Automation Platform to Simplify Business Tax Compliance

25/03/2026

M‑PESA is expanding beyond payments and into tax collection.

M-PESA Ethiopia has partnered with the Amhara Regional State Revenue Bureau to enable individuals and businesses in the Amhara region to pay taxes directly through mobile money.

The move brings digital tax payments to more than 450,000 taxpayers, replacing manual processes that previously required paperwork, verification, and physical visits to revenue offices.

The partnership makes Amhara the first regional tax authority in Ethiopia to integrate mobile money into its tax system a major step toward modernizing revenue collection and improving financial transparency.

This expansion comes as M-PESA Ethiopia experiences rapid growth. The platform has reached 5.2 million active users, with transaction volumes nearly tripling and total value surpassing ETB 20.37 billion. Much of this momentum follows infrastructure expansion driven by Safaricom Ethiopia and increased interoperability with the country’s digital payment ecosystem.

The bigger play is clear: mobile money is evolving from peer-to-peer transfers into core national infrastructure powering everything from business payments to government revenue collection.

Would you prefer paying taxes through mobile money instead of visiting a tax office?

Read More on Techcrier: https://www.techcrier.com/2026/03/m-pesa-ethiopia-expands-into-tax.html

M-PESA Ethiopia Expands Into Tax Payments With Amhara Government Partnership

25/03/2026

Namibia has rejected licence applications from Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, adding another regulatory hurdle to its African expansion.

The denial covers both a telecommunications service licence and radio spectrum access. Authorities confirmed the decision in a government gazette but did not provide detailed reasons. Regulators, however, said the ruling could still be reviewed within 90 days.

This follows earlier tensions. In 2024, Namibia ordered Starlink to halt operations over claims it was running without proper authorisation, warning consumers and confiscating unauthorised terminals.

The challenge isn’t limited to Namibia. In South Africa, Starlink’s entry remains stalled due to rules requiring at least 30 percent local ownership by historically disadvantaged groups. SpaceX has pushed for an alternative investment-based model instead of equity dilution, but regulators say standard approval processes still apply.

Meanwhile, competitors are moving in. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is reportedly open to complying with local ownership requirements, potentially positioning it to secure licences faster in key markets.

The bigger picture is clear: satellite internet expansion in Africa isn’t just a technology race it’s a regulatory one. Licensing rules, ownership structures, and enforcement actions are now shaping who connects the continent from space.

Should African regulators prioritise local ownership or fast-track global providers to improve internet access?

Read More on Techcrier: https://www.techcrier.com/2026/03/namibia-rejects-starlink-licence.html

Namibia Rejects Starlink Licence Applications, Citing Regulatory Decision

25/03/2026

AI hardware is becoming the new battleground, and Elon Musk wants full control.

The tech billionaire has revealed Terafab, a large-scale chip manufacturing strategy designed to build advanced AI processors for Tesla, Inc. and SpaceX.

The goal is simple: produce custom silicon in-house instead of relying on external chip suppliers.

For Tesla, this could accelerate autonomous driving, robotics, and AI training.
For SpaceX, it could power smarter satellites, faster onboard computing, and more autonomous space systems.

The bigger picture is vertical integration. Instead of competing for limited AI chips, Musk is betting on owning the entire stack from silicon to software.

But it’s a high-stakes move. Building semiconductor fabs costs billions, requires elite engineering talent, and takes years to scale. Even established chip giants took decades to get there.

Still, the strategy follows a familiar pattern. Musk tends to enter complex industries, build end-to-end control, and push aggressive innovation timelines.

If Terafab succeeds, Tesla and SpaceX won’t just use AI chips. They’ll design and manufacture the intelligence powering their future.

Is building chips in-house the smartest AI strategy or an extremely risky bet?

Elon Musk Reveals Terafab AI Chip Strategy for Tesla and SpaceX

25/03/2026

Ride-hailing services in Benin City could face major disruption.

Drivers working with Uber, Bolt, and inDrive have announced a seven-day strike over what they describe as unsustainably low fares.

The action, led by the Amalgamated Union of App-Based Transporters of Nigeria, is scheduled to run from March 26 to April 1, 2026, after negotiations with ride-hailing platforms failed to produce fare adjustments.

Drivers say rising fuel costs are crushing earnings. Petrol prices have reportedly jumped from around ₦850 per litre to nearly ₦1,200, while trip fares remain largely unchanged. The result is shrinking take-home income despite longer hours on the road.

The union has directed members to log off all ride-hailing apps during the strike period, aiming to pressure platforms into reviewing pricing structures, commission rates, and working conditions.

This standoff reflects growing tension in Nigeria’s ride-hailing sector, where drivers argue that platform-controlled pricing no longer matches real operating costs.

Do you think ride-hailing companies should increase fares, or would that make transportation too expensive for passengers?

Read More on Techcrier: https://www.techcrier.com/2026/03/uber-and-bolt-drivers-in-benin-announce.html

Uber and Bolt Drivers in Benin Announce Seven-Day Strike Over Low Fares

24/03/2026

Moniepoint just made a major power move in Nigeria’s restaurant industry.

The fintech company has acquired Orda and rebranded it as Moniebook for Restaurants, a platform that combines payments, inventory, orders, and analytics into one system.

Instead of juggling multiple tools, restaurants can now take orders, process payments, track inventory, and manage delivery platforms from a single dashboard. Every transaction is recorded instantly, reducing errors and eliminating manual reconciliation.

This also unlocks something bigger: data-driven lending. With real-time sales insights, Moniepoint can offer funding tailored to each restaurant’s actual performance.

With Nigeria’s restaurant market projected to hit $12.37 billion by 2026, this move positions Moniepoint as more than a payment provider but a full operating system for businesses.

This could change how restaurants run operations across Africa.
Is this initiative the future of restaurant management?

Read more on Techcrier:

Moniepoint Acquires Orda, Rebrands Platform as Moniebook for Restaurants

24/03/2026

WordPress has launched AI agents that can create, edit, and publish blog posts automatically.

With just a prompt, the AI can generate a full article, format it, add tags, optimise SEO, schedule it, and publish it directly to your website. This could save hours of work and help creators post more consistently.

Supporters say it makes content creation faster and easier. Critics worry it could lead to repetitive content and reduce originality across the web.

Either way, AI is quickly becoming part of the entire publishing process, not just writing.

Read More on Techcrier:

WordPress Introduces AI Agents That Can Create, Edit, and Publish Blog Posts Automatically

23/03/2026

WhatsApp users are noticing something strange status updates from contacts they already deleted.

Even more surprising, some users say they’re seeing updates from numbers they never saved at all. This has sparked new privacy concerns about how WhatsApp handles contacts and visibility.

Possible reasons include old chat history, cached data, or the fact that status privacy depends on the person posting. If someone still has your number saved, their status might still show up.

There’s no official explanation yet, but the situation is making users question how much control they really have over their privacy.

Have you experienced this before?

Read more on Techcrier:

WhatsApp Users Report Privacy Concerns as Deleted Contacts Still Appear in Status

23/03/2026

Should social media be banned for anyone under 16?

Pinterest CEO Bill Ready thinks so. He’s calling on governments to introduce strict laws that prevent younger users from accessing platforms entirely. His proposal also includes stronger age verification built into devices and operating systems.

Supporters say this could help protect teens from harmful content, addictive scrolling, and cyberbullying. Critics argue it may create privacy concerns and remove valuable opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection.

As countries begin exploring tighter regulations, the debate is heating up globally.

Is banning social media for under-16s the right move or should platforms simply become safer?

Read More on Techcrier:

Pinterest CEO Urges Governments to Ban Social Media for Under-16s

18/03/2026

Air travel in Nigeria just got a financial upgrade.

The federal government has introduced a Fly Now, Pay Later scheme giving Nigerians the ability to book flights instantly and spread payments over time.

Powered by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation in partnership with MyVisaro and Alert Microfinance Bank, the initiative is designed to tackle one major problem: rising airfare costs.

With ticket prices jumping as high as ₦150,000+ on key routes, many travellers have been priced out. This new model removes the upfront barrier, making air travel more accessible, especially for urgent trips.

This isn’t just about flights; it’s about bringing buy now, pay later into essential services like transportation.

If executed right, it could reshape how Nigerians access mobility, manage expenses, and engage with credit.

Read more on Techcrier: https://www.techcrier.com/2026/03/fg-introduces-fly-now-pay-later-scheme.html

FG Introduces Fly Now, Pay Later Scheme to Tackle Rising Airfare Costs

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