The Ghana ID has become a digital wallet
The Ghana Card, a biometric document that is mandatory for all citizens, is no longer just a means of identification: it is now a full-fledged payment instrument. In early April 2026, the National Identification Authority (NIA) announced the launch of a feature that allows cardholders to pay in stores, online, withdraw cash from ATMs, send funds and make transactions in more than 200 countries.
One of the key features of this innovation is its accessibility. The digital wallet can be activated through the MyCitizens app or using the USSD code *402#, which means that it can be used even by users who do not have modern smartphones.
Ghana is not alone in striving to create a universal digital instrument. Countries such as Kenya and Nigeria are also exploring digital identity models integrated with financial services, but the Ghana map is by far one of the most advanced examples in sub-Saharan Africa.
AFRICA NEWS AGENCY
