MTN Ghana is in active discussions with the Bank of Ghana (BoG) over securing a digital banking licence, as the telecommunications giant positions itself for the next phase of financial services expansion that would move it well beyond traditional mobile money operations.
MTN Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ralph Mupita confirmed the pursuit during his three-day strategic visit to Accra in February 2026, describing digital banking as the natural next step in deepening financial inclusion across the country. He said the company intended to offer app-based financial experiences enabling users to manage payments, savings, and a broader range of financial services with greater convenience and security.
Mobile money, with 63 million users across MTN markets, remains a key growth driver for the group. While MTN does not yet view itself as a bank, Mupita indicated that a licence could be considered if customer needs demand it.
At the central bank, discussions focused on collaboration to combat fraud and mobile money scams. “We are going to bring artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the ability to deal with scams and fraud that we see particularly in the mobile money market,” Mupita said. He identified the digital economy and fintech as the two primary engines of growth for MTN Ghana, noting that the company intends to introduce more advanced financial services while maintaining close engagement with regulators to align with national financial inclusion objectives.
The digital banking push complements a broader strategic shift. MTN Ghana has been formally elevated to the status of a third major subsidiary within the MTN Group, placing it alongside MTN Nigeria and MTN South Africa in the group’s highest tier, a recognition that carries significant implications for investment flows and capital allocation.
Mupita announced plans to deploy US$1.1 billion in Ghana over the next three years, contrasting it with the US$1 billion invested over the previous five years, a near-doubling of investment intensity. For 2026 alone, MTN Ghana Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett committed more than US$300 million in capital expenditure focused on network expansion and digital infrastructure.
MTN Ghana’s Mobile Money (MoMo) platform has grown to serve over 19 million active users nationwide, enabling money transfers, bill payments, savings, and micro-financial solutions, many of which were previously out of reach for rural and underserved communities. A full digital banking licence would allow the company to offer a significantly expanded product suite on top of that existing base.
Source : www.newsghana.com.gh
