Talks on potential Ghana Card ‘digital wallet’ payment feature ongoing

High-level discussions on the planned use of the Ghana Card for payment transactions are ongoing, but the digital wallet feature of Ghana’s national digital ID has not yet been activated, according to a government announcement.

A social media post by the National Identification Authority (NIA) states that reports the Ghana Card can already be used for financial transactions are inaccurate. Instead, discussions with “policy makers and key institutions” are continuing.

Outlets including TechCabal reported that feature had been activated, allowing cards to be connected to bank accounts for use withdrawing cash at ATMs and for online purchase payments. It was also reported that payments using the card can also be made to around 200 countries and territories.

The reports indicated Ghana Card users could activate the wallet by using the MyCitizen App that was launched in October 2024 or a USSD code.

Plans for the activation of the wallet function were discussed last September by the Executive Secretary of the NIA, Yayra Korku Deku, who said once that was done, the Ghana Card would be used as an authentication tool to make or receive payments.

The card’s digital identity and e-passport functions are already active.

Deku also spoke about the digital wallet activation plan in February 2025 saying it will advance the push by the government to boost financial inclusion in the country. He stated at the time that they were pursuing their objective of making the Ghana Card the multipurpose card it was designed to be.

Earlier this year, the government announced fess for the Ghana Card. Effective since February 2, the digital ID now costs 30 Ghanaian cedis (US$2.73) for first-time issuance to people under the age of 25, while card replacement under any circumstance costs 200 Ghana cedi ($18). It is the first time since 2023 that fees for the Ghana Card have been revised upwards, as My Joy Online recalled in a report.

This post was updated at 1:14pm Eastern on April 9, 2026 to include the NIA’s clarification.

Article Topics

digital ID  |  digital identity  |  digital payments  |  digital wallet  |  Ghana  |  Ghana Card  |  national ID