Accra, Ghana – Financial inclusion remains one of the key drivers of Ghana’s economic transformation, with digital financial services enabling more individuals and businesses to participate in the formal economy. Achieving this on a scale, however, depends on payment systems that allow financial institutions to connect seamlessly, securely and efficiently.

The Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS) has underscored the importance of strengthening interoperability and industry collaboration to ensure digital financial services remain accessible, affordable and inclusive for all Ghanaians.

This was highlighted at the inaugural Ecobank–Joy Business Financial Dialogue Series in Accra, which convened policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, fintech companies, mobile money operators and payment service providers to examine how digital transformation can accelerate financial inclusion and economic development. The event was held under the theme, “Driving Financial Inclusion Through Digital Transformation: Unlocking Access, Empowering Communities, Transforming Economies.”

Delivering the keynote address, Director of FinTech and Innovation at the Bank of Ghana, Owuraku Osare, said Ghana has made significant strides in expanding access to financial services through digital payment innovations and interoperable systems. He encouraged industry players to focus not only on increasing access but also on ensuring that digital financial services improve the financial well-being of individuals, households and businesses.

Building on this call, Chief Business Officer of GhIPSS, Akosua Blay, speaking during a panel discussion, outlined the role of Ghana’s national payment infrastructure in connecting participants across the financial ecosystem and creating a more integrated digital payments landscape.

She explained that GhIPSS provides the shared infrastructure that powers solutions such as Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) and GhanaPay, enabling banks, electronic money issuers, payment service providers and other licensed financial institutions to exchange transactions through a common platform. This shared model simplifies connectivity, lowers integration costs and enables institutions to introduce innovative financial services more efficiently.

“Interoperable infrastructure is essential to expanding financial inclusion because it gives customers the flexibility to transact across different financial service providers while creating new opportunities for businesses to serve a broader market,” she said.

Highlighting a practical example of infrastructure driving inclusion, Blay referenced the Ride with MoMo initiative, which leverages GhQR technology to enable transport operators to accept digital payments, making cashless transactions more convenient for commuters while supporting the digitalisation of informal businesses.

The panel also featured Shaibu Haruna, Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney Limited, and Jacqueline Dufie Mpare, Chief Executive Officer of Pan African Savings and Loans. Together, the panelists explored how stronger collaboration between banks, fintechs, payment service providers and mobile money operators can expand access to financial services, strengthen customer trust and accelerate innovation across Ghana’s financial ecosystem.

The dialogue concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to deepen collaboration, promote innovation and strengthen Ghana’s digital payments ecosystem in support of inclusive economic growth.

As the operator of Ghana’s national payment infrastructure, GhIPSS continues to provide the platforms that connect banks, electronic money issuers, fintechs and other licensed financial institutions. Through services including Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI), GhIPSS Instant Pay (GIP), gh-Link, GhanaPay and e-zwich, the company continues to enable secure, interoperable and efficient digital payments that power Ghana’s growing digital economy.