Ghanaians can now use their national identification card to carry out financial transactions globally, following the integration of a digital wallet into the Ghana Card by the National Identification Authority (NIA).
The new feature expands the functionality of the Ghana Card beyond identification and travel documentation, allowing holders to withdraw cash from Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), make payments in stores and online, and conduct international transactions in more than 200 countries.
Originally announced in September 2025, the payment capability is now active, marking a major step in Ghana’s push toward a more inclusive and digitally driven financial system.
According to TechCabal, existing Ghana Card holders can activate the wallet through the MyCitizens App or by dialling *402#, making it accessible even to users without smartphones.
The Ghana Card is already widely used for essential services such as SIM registration and passport applications. With the addition of the digital wallet, the card now serves as a multifunctional tool combining identity verification, travel documentation, and financial services.
The NIA said the initiative is aimed at improving financial inclusion in a country where credit card usage remains extremely low. Credit card penetration was estimated at just 0.6 per cent in 2024 and is projected to decline further in the coming years.
By linking a digital wallet to a government-issued ID, Ghana hopes to reduce barriers to financial access, particularly for citizens who are underserved by traditional banking systems.
The authority noted that the Ghana Card was designed from inception to perform three core functions: identity, passport, and payments. While the e-ID function has long been operational, the e-passport feature was activated in 2022, enabling the card to be accepted as a travel document in 197 countries.
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With the rollout of the payment feature, the third component of that vision has now been completed.
Unlike conventional payment systems, the Ghana Card wallet is not tied to a single bank. Instead, it is designed as an interoperable platform that can integrate multiple financial institutions, offering users greater flexibility.
Beyond everyday transactions, the NIA has also explored expanding the card’s use into other sectors, including gold trading through partnerships with the Ghana Gold Board for tokenised transactions. However, it remains unclear whether this aspect has been implemented, as the latest update focuses primarily on payments.
If widely adopted, the Ghana Card wallet could reduce the country’s reliance on global payment providers such as Visa and Mastercard, while also serving as a model for identity-based payment systems across Africa.