On Wednesday, President John Dramani Mahama officially signed into law several legislative bills, including measures to eliminate the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), Betting Tax, and Emissions Tax.
In response to public inquiries about when the E-Levy will be fully removed from electronic transactions, the CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, clarified that the levy’s abolition would not take immediate effect following the presidential assent.
The process requires regulatory approval from the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
Speaking at MTN House in Accra on Wednesday (April 2, 2025), Mr. Blewett acknowledged the public’s eagerness but emphasized the importance of adhering to regulatory protocols.
“I can’t remove the E-Levy until I receive official instructions. If I act prematurely, the Bank of Ghana will intervene. There’s a process to follow, and we will comply,” he stated.
He stressed that while the government has moved to eliminate the levy, telecom companies like MTN must wait for formal directives before making adjustments.
Impact on Mobile Money and Digital Transactions
Mr. Blewett also addressed the negative effects of the E-Levy on mobile money usage, expressing hope that its removal would rejuvenate the sector.
“The rationale behind scrapping the E-Levy is to revive momentum in mobile money transactions,” he explained.
Although the removal is expected to enhance digital financial transactions and increase financial inclusion, he assured the public that MTN would only implement the changes once the necessary approvals were granted.
“We will follow due process. Once the levy is officially removed, mobile money will regain its strength.”
Related Developments
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President Mahama Signs Bills to Abolish E-Levy, Betting Tax, and Emissions Levy
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Parliament Approves E-Levy Repeal – Bill Awaits Presidential Assent
Fulfilling a Campaign Promise
President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to abolish these taxes aligns with a key campaign promise of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to alleviate the financial burden on Ghanaians.
This follows the submission of eight tax-related bills to Parliament by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on March 13, 2025.
The proposed laws included:
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The Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025
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The Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025
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The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025
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The Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment (Amendment) Bill, 2025
Introduced in 2022, the E-Levy imposed a 1% charge on electronic transactions such as mobile money transfers and online payments. It faced strong public opposition, with critics arguing that it unfairly burdened ordinary citizens and businesses.
Similarly, the Betting Tax, which imposed a 10% charge on gambling winnings, was met with resistance from the gaming industry, which saw it as excessive.
President Mahama reaffirmed his commitment to eliminating these taxes within his first 120 days in office.
“This is a promise we made to the people of Ghana, and today, we have fulfilled it,” he declared after signing the bill into law.
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