Ghana welcomes Mastercard’s first office

Mastercard has marked a significant milestone in its West African operations by inaugurating its first office in Accra, Ghana

This strategic move demonstrates Mastercard’s dedication to advancing Ghana’s digital economy through innovative and market-specific financial products and services.

The Accra office underscores Mastercard’s commitment to strengthening stakeholder relationships and fostering inclusive growth in the region. By establishing a physical presence in Ghana, Mastercard aims to enhance collaboration with local partners, delivering tailored solutions that positively impact the nation’s financial landscape.

“Opening our office in Ghana marks an important milestone in our commitment to deepening relationships across the region. Our growth strategy for West Africa is ambitious, and establishing a formal presence here allows us to better serve the specific needs of our customers. We are eager to leverage our global expertise and innovative capabilities to introduce advanced payment technologies in this market. As we look to the future, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our extensive network of partners in the public and private sector, who are helping us build a better, more connected digital world. We remain unwavering in our commitment to shaping the future of payments and financial services in this dynamic market,” shared Mark Elliott, Division President for Africa at Mastercard.

With Ghana experiencing economic growth—reflected in a 2023 GDP per capita of USD$2,238 and expanding sectors like agriculture, mining, and digital infrastructure—the country presents a compelling opportunity for Mastercard’s West African strategy.

“Ghana presents a tremendous opportunity for Mastercard to enhance its geographical presence in West Africa. We are committed to attracting and nurturing top talent and fostering an ecosystem that aims to contribute positively to the local economy and technological advancement. We are proud of the positive impact that Mastercard has made on Ghana’s financial services ecosystem through collaborative partnerships between our team and extensive network of partners. We will continue to work closely with our partners and innovative new players in the fintech space and beyond as we contribute to a connected and inclusive digital future for all,” noted Folasade Femi-Lawal, country manager and area business head, West Africa, Mastercard.

Beyond opening its office in Accra, Mastercard has driven financial inclusion and digital transformation through strategic partnerships with innovative players like Kalabash, KaiOS, Boost, Smile ID, and financial institutions such as Access Bank and Fidelity Bank. These partnerships have improved cross-border payment solutions, empowered local fintechs, and expanded digital service access for underserved communities, cementing Ghana’s role as a technological innovation hub. Initiatives such as the Mastercard Fintech Forum and the Fraud and Cyber Resilience Forum have further enriched the financial ecosystem by fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and addressing key challenges.

This new Accra office exemplifies Mastercard’s broader commitment to West Africa, joining its network of existing offices in Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, and Mauritius. With this expansion, Mastercard reinforces its dedication to building a sustainable digital economy that delivers long-term benefits across Africa.