The verdict in three sentences
In Ghana, MTN MoMo and Vodafone/Telecel Cash both charge merchants around 1%, but the government's e-levy of 1% above 100 GHS per day can double the effective cost. On small daily volumes the base fee dominates; above the e-levy threshold, the tax dominates. The 2026 decision: stay under the daily e-levy exemption where possible and absorb the base fee into margin on larger baskets.
Ghana fees in 2026
Real cost combines the merchant fee and the e-levy. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a verified merchant account, in Ghanaian cedis (GHS).
| Criterion | MTN MoMo | Vodafone/Telecel Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Merchant fee | 1% | 1% |
| E-levy (above 100 GHS/day) | 1% | 1% |
| Daily limit | 50,000 GHS | 50,000 GHS |
| Settlement | T+1 | T+1 |
| Refund | Free | Free |
The most underestimated line is the e-levy: it applies on the cumulative daily transfer above the 100 GHS exemption, so high-frequency merchants effectively pay 2%.
Mali fees in 2026 (regional reference)
For a regional contrast, Mali's Orange Money has no e-levy yet but layers a cash-withdrawal cost. Amounts are in West African CFA francs (FCFA).
| Criterion | Orange Money Mali |
|---|---|
| Merchant fee | 1.5% to 2.5% |
| Minimum fixed fee | 100 FCFA |
| Cash withdrawal | 1% to 3% |
| Per-transaction limit | 2,000,000 FCFA |
| Settlement | T+1 to T+2 |
Where Ghana's risk is a state tax, Mali's hidden cost is cash-out: reusing funds for supplier payments instead of withdrawing avoids an extra 1% to 3%.
Cost by basket tier in Ghana
| Basket | Base fee (1%) | E-levy (if over threshold) | Effective cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 GHS | 0.50 GHS | 0 (exempt) | 1.0% |
| 100 GHS | 1.00 GHS | 0 (at limit) | 1.0% |
| 300 GHS | 3.00 GHS | 2.00 GHS | 1.7% |
| 1,000 GHS | 10.00 GHS | 9.00 GHS | 1.9% |
| 5,000 GHS | 50.00 GHS | 49.00 GHS | 2.0% |
Below 100 GHS per day the effective cost is just 1%; above it, the e-levy pushes the total toward 2% — a near doubling driven purely by the tax.
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Fatoumata, who runs a grocery in Accra, processes GHS 40,000 per month across 500 tickets of GHS 80. Keeping most customers under the 100 GHS daily e-levy exemption, her blended cost stays near 1% — about GHS 400. If those same volumes crossed the e-levy threshold, her cost would jump to about GHS 780, so structuring around the exemption saves roughly GHS 380 per month and GHS 4,560 a year.
FAQ
Should I pass Ghana's fees to the customer?
On baskets above the e-levy threshold, splitting the tax transparently is common and accepted. On small exempt baskets, absorb the flat 1% into margin — it is too small to justify friction.
Why does the e-levy matter so much?
Because it stacks on top of the 1% merchant fee, effectively doubling cost to about 2% once daily transfers exceed 100 GHS. It is a tax, not a provider fee, so no operator can waive it.
Is MTN MoMo cheaper than Vodafone/Telecel Cash?
Not meaningfully — both sit at 1% merchant fee and both are subject to the same e-levy. Choose on customer reach, not on price.
What is the 2026 daily limit?
Both operators cap around 50,000 GHS per day for a verified merchant. Beyond that, you need a limit uplift or a bank rail.
Does Mali have an e-levy like Ghana?
Not as of 2026. But Ghana's example shows a tax can appear overnight, so a flexible payment module that adapts to new fee rules is worth the investment.
Let's talk about your project. We integrate MTN MoMo and Vodafone/Telecel Cash with e-levy-aware cost tracking. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.