MTN Ghana has announced a new charge on transfers from Mobile Money (MoMo) wallets to bank accounts, adding another cost to digital transactions for millions of customers across the country.
Beginning June 1, 2026, customers will pay a 0.75 per cent fee on every MoMo-to-bank transfer, with charges capped at GH¢5 regardless of the transaction amount.
In a notice to customers issued on Monday, the telecom company said the new fee forms part of efforts to improve and sustain its services.
“This will help us continue to serve you better,” MTN Ghana stated.
The new pricing means a customer transferring GH¢100 from a MoMo wallet to a bank account will pay GH¢0.75 in fees, while larger transactions will continue to attract the 0.75 per cent charge until the GH¢5 ceiling is reached.
Although the cap limits the impact on high-value transactions, the new fee is expected to affect many everyday users, especially small business owners, traders, salaried workers and individuals who frequently move funds between mobile wallets and bank accounts.
Mobile money has become a key part of Ghana’s financial system, helping millions of people access financial services, reduce cash dependence and carry out quick digital transactions.
The ability to transfer money seamlessly between MoMo wallets and bank accounts has also strengthened the connection between telecom-led financial services and the traditional banking sector.
However, the introduction of the new charge is likely to renew debate about the rising cost of digital transactions and whether increasing fees could discourage usage over time.
Industry observers say the move reflects the growing commercial value of mobile money services to telecom operators. Across Africa, mobile money platforms have evolved beyond simple transfers into broader financial ecosystems that now support savings, merchant payments, loans, insurance and remittances.
For MTN Ghana, MoMo has become one of its strongest revenue drivers and a major tool for customer retention. But expanding digital finance services also comes with increasing operational costs, including cybersecurity, fraud prevention, technology upgrades, regulatory compliance and support for agent networks.
The company’s decision suggests it is seeking to balance growing operational demands with long-term service delivery.
Still, the timing may raise concerns among consumers already dealing with multiple transaction-related deductions, including transfer charges, bank fees and merchant costs.
For many Ghanaians, mobile money gained popularity because it was fast, convenient and relatively affordable. Analysts say additional charges could influence customer behaviour, particularly among users who make regular low-value transfers.
Some customers may choose to reduce the number of transfers they make, combine transactions to minimise charges or keep funds within one platform rather than moving money frequently between mobile wallets and bank accounts.
The development could also have implications for the banking sector. MoMo-to-bank transfers have helped improve interaction between mobile money and formal banking services, but higher transaction costs may discourage some users from transferring funds into their bank accounts as often as before.
Ghana’s digital payment ecosystem has expanded rapidly in recent years through mobile money interoperability, QR payment systems, digital banking platforms and merchant payment solutions.
As the sector grows, industry players and regulators are increasingly being forced to balance innovation, profitability, affordability and consumer protection.
MTN Ghana’s latest fee adjustment highlights a new phase in the country’s digital finance evolution, where attention is shifting beyond access and convenience to the actual cost of using digital financial services.
