Innovation Village Newsletter
Posts
💵 Paga Enables PayPal Payments in Nigeria

💵 Paga Enables PayPal Payments in Nigeria

Plus: 📲 Meta Trials Paid Subscriptions on Instagram etc.

Innovation Village
January 28, 2026

In partnership with

‘

Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Meta is quietly testing how much users are willing to pay for a more premium version of its apps, and the experiment spans Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. By introducing paid subscription options, the company is exploring new revenue streams beyond advertising, while also rethinking what “free” social and messaging platforms might look like in the future.

For users, this raises practical questions. Will paying unlock fewer ads, better privacy controls, or exclusive features? And if subscriptions become widespread, how will that change the experience of apps that billions rely on daily for communication, business, and content discovery? Meta’s tests suggest a gradual shift toward a two-tier ecosystem, where choice, not just usage, could define how people engage across its platforms.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

💵 Paga Enables PayPal Payments in Nigeria
🚏 Lagos, MTN Partner to Build Y’ELLO Bus Park
☁️ Zest Boosts Nigeria Payments with Cloud Tech
🔋Sun King Launches HomePlus Max Solar System
💰Valu Secures $63m NBE Financing
📲Meta Tests Paid Subscriptions Across Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp

What Will Your Retirement Look Like?

Planning for retirement raises many questions. Have you considered how much it will cost, and how you’ll generate the income you’ll need to pay for it? For many, these questions can feel overwhelming, but answering them is a crucial step forward for a comfortable future.

Start by understanding your goals, estimating your expenses and identifying potential income streams. The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income can help you navigate these essential questions. If you have $1,000,000 or more saved for retirement, download your free guide today to learn how to build a clear and effective retirement income plan. Discover ways to align your portfolio with your long-term goals, so you can reach the future you deserve.

Get The Guide

💵 CROSS-BORDER PAYMENTS

Paga Enables PayPal Payments in Nigeria

Nigerian fintech Paga has partnered with PayPal to allow Nigerians receive international PayPal payments and withdraw funds locally in naira. Users can now link their PayPal accounts to Paga wallets, enabling bank transfers, card spending, bill payments, and merchant transactions within Nigeria.

The integration removes long-standing withdrawal barriers for freelancers, creators, and businesses, and expands Nigerian merchants’ access to PayPal’s global customer base..........….continue reading

🚏DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Lagos, MTN Partner to Build Y’ELLO Bus Park

The Lagos State Government has partnered with MTN Nigeria to redevelop the Obalende under-bridge into the Y’ELLO Bus Park, a modern and secure transport hub. The project will feature solar-powered lighting, CCTV surveillance, a regulated bus terminal, public toilets, waste management systems, and commuter amenities. It aligns with Lagos’ urban renewal and sustainability goals, aiming to improve safety, reduce congestion, and transform a previously unsafe space into a community-focused, climate-conscious transport facility..........….continue reading

PARTNER ADVERT

Secure Your PMP Certification before July 2026 !!!

PMI has announced a major syllabus change for the PMP exam in July 2026. The updated exam will place greater emphasis on AI, sustainability and modern value delivery.

If PMP certification is part of your career plan, certifying before July 2026 offers clear advantages: familiar content, established study materials and a more predictable exam experience.

At Tenth Code Media Limited, our next PMP training cohort begins January 31st, 2026. Six Saturdays. NGN 200,000.

☁️ CLOUD

Zest Boosts Nigeria Payments with Cloud Tech

Nigerian fintech Zest Payments has partnered with Huawei Cloud to strengthen its digital payments infrastructure, focusing on scalability, security, and regulatory compliance. The collaboration enabled Zest to migrate to a cloud-based architecture, improving platform performance by about 30%, cutting cloud-related costs by roughly 50%, and enhancing system stability.

With support for cards, transfers, USSD, and QR payments across multiple sectors, Zest says the partnership positions it to innovate further, including exploring AI-driven services, while supporting Nigeria’s growing digital economy...........….continue reading

🔋SOLAR ENERGY

Sun King Launches HomePlus Max Solar System

Sun King has introduced the HomePlus Max, a next-generation solar home system featuring enhanced battery technology, higher power output, and faster charging. Designed for households and small businesses in off-grid and underserved areas, the system supports lighting for up to four rooms, USB-C laptop charging, multiple device charging, and high-efficiency DC appliances such as TVs and fans.

With added features like motion-detecting security lights and hybrid solar-plus-grid charging, the HomePlus Max reinforces Sun King’s push to deliver reliable, affordable clean energy across Africa and other emerging markets.............….continue reading

💰FUNDING

Valu Secures $63m NBE Financing

Egyptian fintech Valu has secured up to EGP 3 billion ($63.6 million) in short-term financing from the National Bank of Egypt to support its next growth phase. The funding will boost liquidity as Valu expands regionally—following its recent move into Jordan—and scales its buy-now-pay-later and broader financial services offerings.

The deal aligns with NBE’s strategy to strengthen Egypt’s non-banking financial sector and advance financial inclusion through digital consumer finance..........….continue reading