AD Tech Watch #16: CBN Crypto Licensing Rules, Zero Tax for Small Firms, AI Agents in Clarity

AD Tech Watch is our short, selected roundup of the AI, search and software news that matters to businesses in Nigeria, explained in plain English. In this issue: the CBN has published licensing rules for crypto and stablecoin businesses, the Nigeria Revenue Service has explained the zero company income tax available to small companies, Microsoft Clarity now shows which AI agents visit your website, and ChatGPT Images 2.6 can turn product shots into short GIFs.

Issue #16 · 9 November 2026 · By AD Technologies Limited, an AI technology company in Lagos

1. CBN Publishes Licensing Rules for Crypto, Stablecoins and P2P Trading

What happened: The Central Bank of Nigeria issued its Regulations for the Operations of Non-Security Virtual Assets in Nigeria on 5 November 2026, Nairametrics reported on 6 November. The rules say no one may carry on a regulated virtual asset activity in or from Nigeria, or aimed at people in Nigeria, without a CBN licence or authorisation. They cover stablecoin issuers, exchanges, wallet providers, custodians and payment providers. Minimum paid-up capital is ₦10 billion for naira-referenced stablecoin issuers, ₦15 billion for foreign currency-referenced stablecoin issuers, which must operate through a Nigerian-incorporated company, and ₦1 billion for other virtual asset service providers. Platforms need specific CBN approval to run peer-to-peer (P2P) trading, and must not release crypto unless the name and Bank Verification Number (BVN) on the naira account match the verified customer. The regulations also say no person may facilitate the use of a stablecoin or other virtual asset for payment unless it is an approved virtual asset payment instrument and the facilitator is licensed. The sources we reviewed do not state a commencement date or transition period.

What this means for Nigerian businesses: Many Nigerian businesses use USDT or P2P trades to pay foreign suppliers or receive payment from abroad. Under these rules, that activity should go through providers licensed or authorised by the CBN, and P2P trades through third-party or nominee bank accounts are not allowed. Ask your exchange or payment provider whether it holds, or has applied for, a CBN licence, make sure the name on your bank account matches your verified profile, and keep records of every crypto transaction. If you are planning to accept stablecoins from customers, speak to your lawyer before you start, because using them for payment without an approved instrument and a licensed provider is restricted.

Sources: Nairametrics, Central Bank of Nigeria.

2. NRS Explains Zero Company Tax for Small Firms, but You Still Need a Tax ID and Returns

What happened: Officials of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) spoke at a tax policy panel during the Creative Africa Nexus Weekend 2026 in Lagos on 5 November, Legit.ng reported on 6 November. Mustapha Akaje, an NRS director, said small companies with annual turnover below ₦100 million and fixed assets under ₦250 million may qualify for zero company income tax and exemption from the 4% development levy. Small businesses no longer need separate exemption certificates but must still file tax returns to show they are eligible. They are also relieved of certain VAT collection duties. Other officials urged business owners to register, obtain a Tax ID and keep invoices, receipts and ledgers, and warned that running a business only through personal bank accounts can shut it out of corporate contracts and investment.

What this means for Nigerian businesses: If your company is below these limits, you may owe no company income tax, but the relief is not automatic in practice: you must file your returns to prove you qualify. Register the business if you have not, confirm your Tax ID, open a business bank account and stop mixing personal and business spending, because personal spending cannot be claimed as a business expense. Keep every invoice and receipt in one place, and ask your accountant to confirm that your turnover and fixed assets are inside both limits before you stop paying.

Sources: Legit.ng, NRS Tax ID portal.

3. Microsoft Clarity Now Shows Which AI Agents Visit Your Website

What happened: Microsoft announced new features for its free Clarity analytics tool on 4 November 2026. A new Agent Activity dashboard shows how AI agent traffic changes over time, which agents visit your site and what they do, such as searches, bookings and checkouts. It supports agents from Google, OpenAI and Anthropic. Simulations test whether AI agents can complete key tasks on your site, starting with commerce and travel. Brand Agents, which help products appear in Microsoft Copilot, Bing and MSN, is expanding to local businesses, with booking and CRM integrations such as Calendly and HubSpot; Microsoft says this is available now for eligible WordPress businesses. Ask Clarity, which answers questions about visitor behaviour in plain language, is in a closed beta for retailers with a waitlist. Microsoft says the new capabilities are available globally and that Clarity is free.

What this means for Nigerian businesses: AI assistants are starting to visit websites on behalf of customers, and until now most small businesses had no way to see it. If you already use Clarity, open the new dashboard and check whether AI agents reach your service, pricing and contact pages, and where they stop. If you do not use it, Clarity installs on WordPress with a free plugin. If agents are visiting but not finding what they need, that is a sign your pages need clearer facts, which is the work of generative engine optimisation (GEO).

Sources: Microsoft Clarity Blog, Search Engine Roundtable.

4. ChatGPT Images 2.6 Turns Product Shots Into Short GIFs

What happened: OpenAI launched Images 2.6 on 5 November 2026, TestingCatalog reported. It can turn characters, mascots, product shots and sketches into short animated GIF loops, aims to keep products and brand details consistent across repeated edits, and lets users save reference images so they do not have to upload them again. OpenAI says generation is 50% faster than before. It is rolling out globally in ChatGPT and Codex on web, desktop and mobile, across subscription tiers; the report does not confirm whether free users are included. For developers, the API adds two models, GPT-Image-2.6 Flare and Sunburst, plus SVG export for websites, apps and print.

What this means for Nigerian businesses: A small shop can now make a moving product image for WhatsApp Status, Instagram or a website banner in minutes, without a designer. Use your own real product photos as the reference, so the result matches what customers will receive, and check every image before posting: AI can change labels, colours or details. Do not use AI images to make a product look better than it is, and keep your logo files saved as references so your branding stays consistent.

Sources: TestingCatalog, OpenAI.

Also This Week: Gemini Can Turn a Hand-Drawn Sketch Into a Working App

Google said on 5 November 2026 that you can upload a photo of a hand-drawn sketch, such as an app screen, habit tracker or order form, select Canvas in Gemini and ask it to code an interactive app, then test it in the preview and ask for changes. Google did not say which plans or countries support it. It is a quick way to test an idea for a simple internal tool before paying a developer. Sources: Google Blog.

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