Ghana's telecoms regulator moved to block MTN from introducing charges on mobile money transfers before the service provider could implement the new fees.
MTN had announced plans to start charging customers for MoMo transactions, but the National Communications Authority stepped in and halted the move. The decision came after pushback from users who saw the proposed fees as an added burden on everyday financial services that millions depend on.
Mobile money remains central to how Ghanaians transact. Any attempt to monetise what has long been free service meets resistance from both customers and regulators concerned about financial inclusion. MTN's timing proved poor, arriving when economic pressures already squeeze household budgets across the country.
The regulator's intervention signals that telecom companies cannot unilaterally impose charges on core services without regulatory approval. MTN will need to justify any fee structure and demonstrate that it does not harm consumers or limit access to financial services.
Meanwhile in Nigeria, fintech startup CashAfrica is pushing a different model. The company wants Nigerians to abandon traditional money transfers in favour of tap-to-pay technology, positioning digital wallet interactions as faster and cheaper than conventional bank transfers. CashAfrica argues this approach cuts out intermediaries and reduces transaction costs for users.
In Kenya, electric vehicle prices have climbed by 16 percent, putting pressure on the EV market just as governments across East Africa push adoption targets. The price surge stems from import duties, currency fluctuations, and supply chain costs that manufacturers pass to buyers. Potential EV buyers now face steeper barriers to entry despite government incentives aimed at accelerating the shift away from petrol-powered cars.
