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💵LIRS Extends Tax Filing Deadline to April 14

💵LIRS Extends Tax Filing Deadline to April 14

Plus: 📡Nigeria Plans New Satellites

Innovation Village
April 01, 2026

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Happy New Month 👋

From policy shifts to technological investments, Africa’s economic and digital landscape is witnessing notable momentum this week. In Nigeria, the Lagos Internal Revenue Service extended the tax filing deadline to April 14, while plans are underway for the launch of new national satellites, signalling the country’s commitment to both fiscal compliance and space-based infrastructure.

Meanwhile, telecom and mobility sectors are seeing bold moves: MTN is backing a $45 million AI-driven RAN startup, Bolt is introducing penalties for low-rated passengers, and Uber announced a R5 billion investment to build an electric vehicle fleet in South Africa. On the financial front, development-focused investment continues, with Proparco committing $15 million to the Adenia SME Fund to support small and medium enterprises across Africa.

These developments together illustrate a continent balancing innovation, regulatory action, and investment—laying the groundwork for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable economic future.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💵 LIRS Extends Tax Filing Deadline to April 14
📡Nigeria Plans New Satellites
📶MTN Backs $45M AI-RAN Startup
💰 Proparco Commits $15M to Adenia SME Fund
🚘 Bolt to Penalize Low-Rated Passengers
💵 Uber to Invest R5 Billion in South Africa EV Fleet

💵TAX

LIRS Extends Tax Filing Deadline to April 14

Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing individual income tax returns to April 14, 2026, after technical issues disrupted access to its eTax portal ahead of the original March 31 deadline.

Many taxpayers were unable to complete filings due to login failures, submission errors, and system downtime. The extension gives users extra time to submit returns, correct errors, and avoid penalties.

Despite the extension, digital filing via the eTax portal remains mandatory, and missing the new deadline may still result in fines or enforcement actions under Nigeria’s tax laws.....….continue reading

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📡SATELLITE

Nigeria Plans New Satellites

Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) has announced plans to launch two new satellites—NIGCOMSAT-2A (2028) and NIGCOMSAT-2B (2029)—to upgrade Nigeria’s satellite infrastructure and avoid service disruption as NigComSat-1R nears the end of its lifespan.

The new satellites aim to expand broadband access in underserved areas, improve network reliability, and strengthen national security through enhanced surveillance and real-time intelligence capabilities.

Despite reduced budget allocations, the government remains committed, likely exploring partnerships and external funding due to the high cost of satellite development....….continue reading

📶TELECOMS

MTN Backs $45M AI-RAN Startup

MTN Group has joined a $45 million funding round for ORAN Development Company (ODC), investing in a new approach that transforms telecom towers into edge computing hubs powered by AI.

The AI-RAN model shifts data processing from centralized data centers to cell towers, enabling faster, low-latency performance, reduced costs, and real-time optimisation of network operations. Built on Nvidia’s AI Aerial platform, the system allows telecom operators to run AI workloads directly at the network edge.

For MTN, this aligns with its broader strategy to build hybrid AI infrastructure—combining edge computing with AI-enabled data centers—while addressing Africa-specific challenges like inconsistent power supply and high operating costs.

Beyond improving network efficiency, the move opens new revenue opportunities, including offering edge AI services to enterprises and supporting real-time applications across sectors like fintech, healthcare, and logistics.....….continue reading

💰INVESTMENTS

Proparco Commits $15M to Adenia SME Fund

Proparco has invested $15 million in the Adenia Entrepreneurial Fund (AEF), aimed at supporting the growth of small and mid-sized businesses across Africa.

The fund, which has reached a $180 million first close, plans to invest in 8–10 companies by acquiring majority stakes in established businesses with strong growth potential. Investments will typically range between $10 million and $20 million across diverse sectors.

AEF has already made its first investment in Maymana, signaling early deployment of capital.

The funding reinforces investor confidence in African SMEs and is expected to drive business expansion, job creation, and broader economic development across the continent.....….continue reading

🚘RIDE-HAILING SERVICES

Bolt to Penalize Low-Rated Passengers

Bolt is introducing stricter measures against passengers with consistently low ratings, including warnings, ride restrictions, and possible account suspension.

The move expands accountability beyond drivers to riders, reinforcing a two-way rating system where both parties are evaluated based on behavior. Low passenger ratings are typically linked to issues like rudeness, payment disputes, safety concerns, and damaging vehicles.

Bolt’s decision aims to improve trust, safety, and overall service quality on the platform, addressing driver dissatisfaction and rider misconduct. While restricting passengers may impact revenue, the company is prioritizing long-term ecosystem health.....….continue reading